Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions performance vs. Michigan

4 of 10

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball on a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

A. . . . WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

The wide receivers and tight ends had a bounce-back week, as they hauled in three touchdowns from Sean Clifford while limiting their drops. The only wide receivers or tight ends to catch passes were K.J Hamler, Jahan Dotson, and Pat Freiermuth, but it didn’t matter.

Why didn’t it matter? It’s because K.J Hamler was that good. Hamler had six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown went for 25 yards, and the other touchdown went for 53-yards.

Slide Suga! 💨@KJ_Hamler hauls in another TD and @PennStateFball is hype: pic.twitter.com/kdInjlhyCC
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 20, 2019

Additionally, Hamler had two carries for six yards, including a four-yard run on third down and three to clinch the game for Penn State.

Another phenomenal performance for K.J Hamler on the national stage made him a popular topic of conversation among NFL Draft analysts this weekend.

Hamler, a redshirt sophomore, is eligible for the NFL Draft following this season. If he were to declare, he’d enter a crowded draft pool at the wide receiver position, as it’s the most talented we’ve seen in years.

Between Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Ceedee Lamb, Tee Higgins, Jalen Reagor, and Laviska Shenault, the 2020 NFL Draft can see as many six wide receivers drafted in the first round.

#PennState WR KJ Hamler is obviously undersized, but his blur speed and explosive traits will absolutely translate to the NFL game.

Size likely keeps him out of the 1st round, but he'll be a fun weapon with a day 2 price tag in April.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 20, 2019

Tight end Pat Freiermuth also caught a 17-yard touchdown in the game. He had three receptions for 28 yards total. Jahan Dotson also got involved with a catch for 37 yards.

Despite the amount of wide receivers/tight ends to catch passes being small, the number of big plays were high, and the mistakes were minimal. This warrants another high grade for the pass-catchers once again.

Home/Penn State Football