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Ranking the Best Skill Position Groups in the Big Ten

By Alec Whitaker

Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) can not make a catch on quarterback Sean Clifford (not pictured) throw as Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jakorian Bennett (2) defends during the first half at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) can not make a catch on quarterback Sean Clifford (not pictured) throw as Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jakorian Bennett (2) defends during the first half at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Theo Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a catch in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 06, 2021 in College Park, Maryland.
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Theo Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a catch in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 06, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. /

3. Penn State

Despite losing Jahan Dotson to the NFL, Penn State brings back a lot of offensive talent in 2022.

To replace Dotson, the Nittany Lions brought in Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley. Tinsley caught 87 passes for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns for Western Kentucky last year. Obviously, it’s unfair to think he will replicate those numbers in the Big Ten, but Tinsley is a serious talent and deep-ball threat.

The man many expect to take over Dotson’s WR1 role is junior Parker Washington. Washington caught 64 passes for 820 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. Rounding out the starting wide outs is Keandre Lambert-Smith, who caught 34 passes for 521 yards and three scores last year.

Some key backups include Malick Meiga and Harrison Wallace.

Penn State returns one of the deeper tight end rooms in the country as well. Brenton Strange leads the group, he had 20 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns last year. Complimenting him is junior Theo Johnson, who recorded 19 grabs for 213 yards and a score last season. The last tight end is Tyler Warren, who Penn State likes to lineup at quarterback in goal line situations. Warren had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving in 2021.

Penn State’s issue may be the run game. Keyvone Lee is back after recording 108 rushes for 530 yards and two touchdowns last year. The biggest name in Penn State’s running back room may be true freshman Nick Singleton, a 5-star recruit who was the No. 1 running back in the 2022 class. Hopes are high for Singleton and hopefully he can jumpstart the Penn State run game.

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