Young Penn State Receiver Makes Instant Impact Against Marshall

University Park– It took Penn State receiver Zay Robinson one play to make his presence known against Marshall

That play happened even before Penn State’s offense took the field.

Penn State received the opening kickoff, and Robinson had a chance to return it.

Return it, he did, to the Marshall 34-yard line. A sideline interference penalty set Penn State up right around midfield, although the offense could only manage a field goal on the ensuing drive. Nonetheless, it was an exciting start for a guy who could become one of Penn State’s most exciting players before too long.

Robinson played his true freshman season at Iowa State last year, where the head coach was Matt Campbell. At local media day last month, Campbell likened Howard to a player Penn State fans know well.

“I think Zay Robinson is a young guy that kind of similar to what Koby was,” Campbell said. (It) sounded like what everybody was talking about Koby a year ago here. Zay had the same conversation going on at Iowa State. Man, this really talented young guy, huge flashes of success during fall camp and the season during practice. And I think was kind of waiting for his opportunity to emerge onto the scene and was really close… I think Zay is in the same boat where, man, what can he consistently show up and do?”

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Later on in fall camp, Robinson impressed offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser enough to earn MVP honors for the team’s first scrimmage of the camp.

“He was phenomenal,” Mouser said. “We move him around from the slot to the outside. He’s been our swing guy who plays tight end in our 10-personnel (sets) … He can just bounce around.”

Mouser said he challenged Robinson “to be better” at the end of spring camp.

“Because he’s one of our most competitive guys,” Mouser said. “And he rose to the challenge, and he’s done a good job of making contested catches in the middle of the field, out on the outside. I’ve just been impressed with his ability to turn himself into a pro with how he prepares every day.”