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Penn State Football: DaeSean Hamilton returns most receiving experience

By Collin Wieder

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction - Penn State player corrected) Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) catches a pass against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Natrell Jamerson (12) in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction - Penn State player corrected) Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) catches a pass against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Natrell Jamerson (12) in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State football brings back tons of receiving experience, but no one returns with more veteran savvy than DaeSean Hamilton.

DaeSean Hamilton started his first three seasons for Penn State football and continues to be a productive player. Although his production decreased in each of those seasons, he became a playmaker with lower tier talent in 2014.

The departure of Allen Robinson in 2013 opened a spot for Hamilton to make plays as a redshirt freshman. He delivered during Christian Hackenberg’s least-productive season snaring 82 passes for 899 yards and two touchdowns. With little talent surrounding Hackenberg that season, Hamilton made the most plays because he got the most reps.

As my Co-Expert Barry Leonard noted last month, Hamilton’s numbers decreased in 2015 and 2016. The ascension of Chris Godwin up the depth chart took some of his numbers. Now, Godwin’s gone to the NFL.

Now, he can create an impact with McSorley. Hamilton has more chemistry out wide with the young quarterback than anyone else. Furthermore, he earned the trust of head coach James Franklin. Hamilton’s freshman year was also Franklin’s first season in State College. Since then, Hamilton caught passes in 38 of 40 games and became the model of consistency in the Nittany Lions’ starting lineup.

The wide receiver corp needs him to succeed this season. DeAndre Thompkins and Saeed Blacknall return as well, but don’t offer the same things. Thompkins is heading into just his second year as a starter, while Blacknall found himself in off-field trouble this past year and hasn’t settled into a productive career yet.

Both players could still become strong starters in 2017, but Hamilton carries the veteran role. In fact, he needs just 19 catches to become the Nittany Lions’ career leader in catches. He’ll likely take that record and raise it to an even higher level.

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Through three seasons, he caught 161 passes for 1,985 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 211-pounds, he provides a decent sized target. Throughout most of his career, he’s been a big play receiver making key catches. Put on the film in the Big Ten Title and it’s easy to see what he can do.

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