Penn State transfer receivers hope to solve Nittany Lions’ wide-out woes in 2025
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Penn State revamps wide receiver room with three transfer veterans in 2025.
- Kyron Hudson, Trebor Peña and Devonte Ross bring experience and proven output.
- Coach Franklin expects new receivers to diversify offense, give Drew Allar more options
Penn State’s wide receivers had zero receptions in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame. It’s a fact that has stuck with the Nittany Lions since that playoff nail-biter, and it may have been a catalyst for an offseason that saw the team completely revamp its wide receiver room.
Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans transferred out, while Julian Fleming graduated, leaving Liam Clifford as the only remaining receiver with starting experience. The Nittany Lions compensated for these departures by bringing in Kyron Hudson, Trebor Peña and Devonte Ross, who boast a combined 12 seasons of collegiate experience.
During the team’s local media day, coach James Franklin said the new faces could help “open up a lot of things” for Penn State’s offense. He added that a more productive receiver corps would make it harder for opposing teams to prepare each week compared to last year, when defenses mostly focused on stopping the run and tight end Tyler Warren.
“I think the biggest thing is, we need more playmaking at the wide receiver position for us to go where we want to go, in critical moments, in critical games,” Franklin said.
Of course, this isn’t Penn State’s first foray into the portal looking for receivers. Fleming wasn’t the playmaker many had hoped for, and Malik McClain (Florida State) and Dante Cephas (Kent State) were inconsistent despite garnering plenty of hype in 2023.
If the Nittany Lions hit on even one of this year’s transfers, on top of the talent they already have on offense, this could be a seriously scary unit. So, who did the Nittany Lions get out of the portal, and what do they bring to the offense? Here’s a primer on Penn State’s new toys on the outside.
Kyron Hudson
Hudson described himself as a dominant, physical receiver who can make the tough catches. If you need evidence of that, just look at the viral catch he made against No. 13 LSU last year.
He was a team captain during his senior season at USC and had a career year, finishing with 462 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions. Penn State receivers coach Marques Hagans said he was impressed by Hudson when the Nittany Lions and Trojans met in Los Angeles last October, and Hudson hasn’t disappointed since arriving in Happy Valley.
“I think he’s kind of been proven to what we saw,” Hagans said. “Knowing some people over there [at USC] who spoke highly of him, I think he has been exactly what we thought.”
Franklin discussed the importance of having a playmaker who can make things easier for a quarterback — a guy he can “chuck it deep” to. Hudson’s hands and ball skills make him a candidate to be a contested-catch receiver for quarterback Drew Allar.
“How many college football games have you watched, or even in the NFL, where a quarterback chucks it up, and it’s double-coverage and a receiver goes up like Allen Robinson used to always do and come down with it?” Franklin said. “I mean, you think about that play in the four-overtime Michigan game, right, and then the announcer saying, what an unbelievable throw or what an unbelievable play. Well, a lot of that deals with the wide receiver making that play.”
Trebor Peña
Trebor Peña broke out last season for Syracuse, racking up 941 yards and nine touchdowns on an ACC-leading 84 receptions. He was a late add for Penn State in the portal, but his playing experience and proven production give Franklin confidence in his new receiver.
“I compare college football in some ways now to college basketball when the one-and-done started, and you could have a veteran older team make a run, because, as we know, experience and talent matters,” Franklin said.
Peña is welcoming the challenges that come with acclimating himself to a new program. He said he wanted to put himself in “an uncomfortable position” to emulate what it’s like in the NFL, where players tend to switch teams frequently.
With the Nittany Lions, Peña brings good route-running and shiftiness, whether to get open or to make defenders miss after the catch. He might not get as many touches as he did at Syracuse, but he has the potential to be a consistent option on the outside or in the slot.
“The community, fan base is so supportive, and it’s just different than anything I’ve seen before, so I just fell in love with that opportunity,” Peña said.
Devonte Ross
Devonte Ross was an elite receiver for Troy last season, leading the team with 1,043 yards on 76 catches. He led the Sun Belt Conference with 11 touchdown receptions, and also was an impact returner for the Trojans.
That production wasn’t just from Sun Belt opponents. Against Iowa last season, he had 142 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions, plus a 77-yard punt return touchdown.
“I think you guys know how much respect I have for Iowa, that program, defensively, special teams-wise, and to be able to watch him make plays against an Iowa defense, and an Iowa team in general on special teams, gave us a lot of confidence about bringing that young man in,” Franklin said.
Ross said he doesn’t talk a lot and tries to lead by example, and it’s often his speed that does the talking. He has the ability to run by defenders on deep passes, or weave around them on screens and gadget plays. Expect offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to work in some plays to get him the ball in space.
“I would just say I’m somebody who whatever the team needs of me, I just try to get it done,” Ross said. “That’s who I am. Like, whatever my coaches need of me, my team needs of me, that’s what I’m trying my best to do.”
