Ranking the best wide receivers in Penn State Football history
By Nick Kreiser
Honorable Mentions
KJ Hamler (2017-2019)
Career Stats
Receptions: 98
Receiving Yards: 1,658
Touchdowns: 13
Accolades
- All Big-Ten second team (2019)
- 2nd round NFL Draft pick (Broncos)
There is a bit of a ‘what if’ factor when it comes to KJ Hamler’s Penn State Football career, as he had to miss the entirety of his true freshman season with an injury. Not only could he have had much better career totals, had he been able to play in 2017, but adding his game-changing quickness to an already electric offense that featured Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley, Mike Gesicki, and DaeSean Hamilton, and that team could have averaged over 40 points and 450 yards per game.
This is a tough draw for a fan-favorite, as he just barely missed the cut, but there are a ton of talented receivers ahead of him.
Jordan Norwood (2005-2008)
Career Stats
Receptions: 158
Receiving Yards: 2,015
Touchdowns: 13
Jordan Norwood is seventh in school history in receptions, and eighth in receiving yards – and he was somewhat overshadowed throughout his career by Deon Butler and Derrick Williams. Had he been the primary target for much of his career, he could have been one of the most productive pass-catchers in school history.
He was, however, still a key contributor on a pair of conference championship teams.
Plus, although it doesn’t impact his career at Penn State, Jordan Norwood does hold a notable NFL record. In Super Bowl 50, he returned a punt 61 yards, which is the longest punt return in Super Bowl history.
Derek Moye (2007-2011)
Career Stats
Receptions: 144
Receiving Yards: 2,395
Touchdowns: 18
Statistically, Derek Moye should have been on this list, as he is ninth in program history in career receptions, seventh in receiving yards, and tied for fifth in touchdown catches, but going undrafted and not having any accolades – such as an all-conference selection – kept him off the list.
Freddie Scott (1993-1995)
Career Stats
Receptions: 93
Receiving Yards: 1,520
Touchdowns: 11
Accolades
- All-Big Ten second team (1994)
Freddie Scott’s career as a whole is not overwhelmingly impressive compared to some others on this list, but his 1994 season was great, as he was the No. 2 receiver on that undefeated, Big Ten Championship team.
In that season, Scott had 973 receiving yards (ninth in program history for a single season) and nine touchdowns (tied for seventh in a single season).
Additionally, he is second all-time for receptions in a single game (13 against Wisconsin in 1995), as well as tied for second (with numerous others) for most touchdowns catches in a single game (three against Temple in 1994).
Parker Washington (2020-present)
Career Stats
Receptions: 100
Receiving Yards: 1,309
Touchdowns: 10
In 2020, Parker Washington led all Big Ten freshmen in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
As a sophomore in 2021, despite not even being Sean Clifford’s go-to target, Washington’s 64 receptions rank sixth in school history for a single season.
A case could certainly be made for him to crack the top 10 already, but since his career is not yet complete, we’ll leave him off the list for the time being. However, with a potential 1,000-yard season, All-Big Ten selection, and day one or two NFL Draft selection in his near future, Parker Washington will certainly rank among the top 10 wide receivers in Penn State Football history when his career is complete.