Penn State Football 2019 Breakout Candidate: WR Mac Hippenhammer
Penn State football wide receiver Mac Hippenhammer got out to a nice career start in the spring game and 2018 season. he’ll look to bust out in 2019.
The annual Blue-White Spring Game always has its stars, and wide receiver Mac Hippenahmmer was the biggest one in 2018. He caught four passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns, the first player to do that in the spring game.
His performance in the spring led many to believe he’d roll that momentum into the fall. To no fault of his own, fellow Class of 2017 KJ Hamler happened instead. Hamler starred as the team’s breakout freshman. He led the team in almost every receiving category, catching 42 passes for 754 yards and five touchdowns.
Hamler’s massive year left little to no reps for the other slot receivers. Add in the fact that three veteran players (DeAndre Thompkins, Juwan Johnson and Brandon Polk) sat atop the roster, and it’s difficult for youngsters to get on the field.
Hippenhammer did get on the field a little and made some plays to the tune of six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. The majority of the catches resulted in first down as well.
His 5-foot-11, 177-pound frame and quickness that found holes in defenses, makes him a movable weapon within the offense. Hamler is back and will obviously be on the field as much as possible in 2019.However, that doesn’t mean Hippenhammer won’t be.
With the graduation/transfer of all three veteran receivers and with Cam Sullivan-Brown entering the transfer portal, experience is at a premium in the receiving corp. The only remaining players with legit production are Hamler, Jahan Dotson and Hippenhammer.
Quarterback Tommy Stevens steps in as a first-year senior starter this spring. The best way to settle in a new starting QB is with players he knows and trusts. Hippenhammer played in 12 games and started another.
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His speed, ability to separate and playmaking all factor into why he’ll break out. Not to mention, Hamler’s emergence means teams will focus more defensive attention on him. He’s going to get doubled, leaving Hippenhammer open to make plays.