Opinion: Penn State needs help at wide receiver and here’s why

Apr. 12—Penn State might as well put up a Help Wanted sign for wide receivers.

Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports reported Friday that KeAndre Lambert-Smith has been away from the team this week, the final week of spring football practice, and that he’s strongly considering entering the transfer portal.

Lambert-Smith led the Nittany Lions last season with 53 receptions for 673 yards and four touchdowns, but he caught just two passes in the final four games.

He has cleared out his locker room at Lasch Building, a source told the Reading Eagle. He has not been available for interviews since early November.

The news came one day before the annual Blue-White Game Saturday at 2 p.m. (TV-Big Ten Network) at Beaver Stadium.

“I think he’s had a good spring,” Penn State coach James Franklin said two weeks ago about Lambert-Smith. “He’s shown some real flashes. I’m seeing them on a more consistent basis. I think Coach K (new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki) has done a really good job with him as well.

“Obviously we need him to have a big year and expect him to have a big year.”

The position was a sore spot last season for Penn State. Lambert-Smith was the only wide receiver to finish with more than 22 receptions. In the Lions’ final four games, wideouts caught just 20 passes.

Penn State brought in former Southern Columbia star Julian Fleming from Ohio State to add depth to the position and to provide leadership, which sources said the room lacked last year.

“The whole group has improved,” Franklin said last month. “I would still like to see a group of guys really separate themselves from the pack. I think we need more of that.”

If that sounds familiar, it’s because he expressed very similar sentiments many times last year during spring practice and preseason camp. His remarks wound up being a portent of things to come.

Penn State does…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/opinion-penn-state-needs-help-035000702.html

Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.

Publish date : 2024-04-13 03:50:00

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