Penn State Football: three potential breakout candidates on offense

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Theo Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Theo Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a 42-yard touchdown pass thrown by Sean Clifford during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a 42-yard touchdown pass thrown by Sean Clifford during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

 

Penn State Football wide receiver – KeAndre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith made huge improvements from year one to year two, and if he can make a similar jump heading into his third season in State College, opposing Big Ten secondaries ought to be scared.

We know quite well that Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley will be a dynamic 1-2 punch at wide receiver for the Nittany Lions, but what if I told you that the Nittany Lions could end up having one of the better pass-catching trios in America?

In 2021, Lambert-Smith hauled in 34 passes for 521 yards and three touchdowns, a significant jump on his freshman stats – even with factoring in the difference in games played due to the shortened Covid season.

With yet another offseason working with wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield, building chemistry with Sean Clifford, and becoming more comfortable in year two in Mike Yurcich’s offensive system, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith could emerge as one of the top No. 3 wideouts in college football, ready to take the reigns as the go-to target with Mitchell Tinsley and (likely) Parker Washington moving on to the NFL after this season.