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Penn State Football Player Profile 2017: The human joystick, WR KJ Hamler

By Matt DiLascio

STATE COLLEGE, PA - JULY 08: General view at Happy Valley Jam 2017 in Beaver Stadium on the campus of Penn State University. July 8, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Happy Valley Jam)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - JULY 08: General view at Happy Valley Jam 2017 in Beaver Stadium on the campus of Penn State University. July 8, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Happy Valley Jam) /
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Incoming Freshman KJ Hamler is looking to bounce back from a torn ACL that cost him his senior season and make an immediate impact for Penn State football. 

KJ Hamler  has been dubbed “The Human Joystick” and has even drawn comparisons to the “X-factor,” Dante Hall by onlookers. With training camp right around the corner, incoming freshmen will be looking for any way possible to make early contributions. Hamler could instantly impact the third phase of the game as a return man.

Hamler is a Michigan kid who comes to State College by way of IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

Considered a consensus four-star recruit, Hamler comes into Happy Valley somewhat under the radar as the ninth highest-rated recruit in the class according to 247sports. So, what makes him so special?

Strengths

Speed. Vision. Explosiveness. Rinse, repeat.

KJ Hamler has an extraordinary ability to evade tacklers, keep his eyes down field and find daylight. When he does find a seam, you can add 6 to the scoreboard. Hamler has a tremendous combination of short area quickness and elite straight-line speed that adds up to a ridiculous highlight tape.

Man, it would’ve been awesome to see him compete against IMG-level competition.

Concerns

The biggest thing for Hamler is the unknown. How will he hold up after a serious knee injury and not playing an organized game since his junior year? Track speed separated him from the vast majority of his competition at the high school level but it remains to be seen if he still has that “extra gear” after the injury.

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Another less serious concern is his slight build. Hamler is currently listed on the team’s official roster at 165 pounds. There simply aren’t many significant contributors in the Big Ten who are less than 175 pounds. Strength coach Dwight Galt will get Hamler to a more durable weight.

Bottom Line

KJ Hamler should have a great career as a Nittany Lion. It’s simply a matter of how soon he will be able to contribute, and if it isn’t immediately – that’s OK.

Hamler is going to have a lot of competition both as a returner and wide receiver, but there certainly seems to be a more direct path to the field via special teams. Success as a returner could open doors on offense for specific packages and gadget plays down the stretch (à la Brandon Polk).

Going from watching games at IMG Academy to playing in front of over 100,000 people in Happy Valley is a big jump. As an early enrollee, Hamler has benefitted from additional time on campus and that should ease the transition process. Plus, with parents this cool how can you root against the guy?

It’s not clear yet what, if any, role Hamler will have in 2017. Whenever he does get on the field he has the potential to be a very special player for the Nittany Lions.

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