Penn State Football: 2017 Position Grades vs Maryland
Receivers / Tight Ends
Penn State football’s receiving core did everything asked of them. They caught all the easy and short-range throws, but it’s players like Mike Gesicki that elevated the passing game. His one-handed catch and the rest of the receivers’ reliability proved they can hang with whoever they’re paired with in a bowl game.
Gesicki recorded just 35 yards on five catches, but two of those receptions went for touchdowns. Juwan Johnson’s recent rise continued with a 6-catch, 63-yard performance. DaeSean Hamilton followed with five more catches for 59 yards and finished up a career resurgence in 2017. As quietly as he’s gone about his career, he became Penn State’s leading receiver along the way.
DeAndre Thompkins was the only other player with multiple catches. He caught three for 48 yards. Saeed Blacknall and Brandon Polk made a catch each as well to finish out the passing production. Polk should be a guy to watch returning for next year along with Johnson as both return for 2018.