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Penn State Football 2017 Player Profile: WR Irvin Charles

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Oct 29, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Irvin Charles (11) hangs onto the ball as Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Da'Wan Hunte (2) defends in the 2nd half at Ross Ade Stadium. Penn Sate won the game 62-24. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Irvin Charles (11) hangs onto the ball as Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Da'Wan Hunte (2) defends in the 2nd half at Ross Ade Stadium. Penn Sate won the game 62-24. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will 2017 be the year that wide receiver Irvin Charles reaches his full potential in the Penn State offense?

On paper, Penn State has one of the top offenses in FBS returning for the 2017 season. The Nittany Lions have a ton of experience and talent coming back. Even more importantly, quarterback Trace McSorley, coming off an impressive 2016 campaign, will once again be slinging the ball around. Wide receiver Irvin Charles has a big opportunity to make an impact in the Penn State offense.

Charles, a four-star recruit from New Jersey, came to Penn State as a member of the 2015 class. Alabama, Florida, and Ohio State were among the top schools trying to win his services.

He received a redshirt his first year in Happy Valley in order to take more time to develop his skills for the collegiate level.

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2016 was the first time that Charles saw action on the field, albeit in a limited fashion. With a crowded depth chart at wide receiver he wasn’t relied on heavily. Although he hit the field in all 14 games, he made just two catches. However, those two catches went for a total of 106 yards and a touchdown.

His first catch of the season could be considered one of the most pivotal plays for the Nittany Lions last year. Down in the second half at home to Minnesota, he took a pass and broke it 80 yards for a touchdown. That play helped to propel Penn State to the win over the Gophers and started what would be a nine-game win streak.

Against Purdue, Charles made his only other catch of the year, a 26-yard reception.

Standing at six-foot-four, Charles presents a big target for his quarterback. That, coupled with his speed could make him a dangerous weapon in the upcoming season.

Chris Godwin, the top receiver from a year ago, chose to forego his senior season in order to go to the NFL. Due to that, there will be an opportunity for someone to step up into an expanded role. Charles has a high ceiling and will have a chance to flourish in offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead’s potent offense.

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