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Penn State Football: ranking the best offensive players of the James Franklin era

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Saquon Barkley #26 in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Saquon Barkley #26 in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores a touchdown in the third quarter against Jakorian Bennett #2 of the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 06, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores a touchdown in the third quarter against Jakorian Bennett #2 of the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 06, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. Jahan Dotson (wide receiver, 2018-2021)

Jahan Dotson is one of the best wideouts in Penn State Football history, so he is certainly one of the best players of the James Franklin era.

The two-time All-Big Ten selection (including first team in 2021) is second in school history in receptions with 183, fourth in receiving yards with 2,757, and tied for second in touchdown catches with 25. All of those numbers could have been even higher if not for the shortened 2020 season.

At Ohio State in 2021, Dotson added a rushing touchdown to his career stats. He was also a perfect 2/2 as a passer in his career, throwing for 43 total yards on those two attempts.

Despite 2020 and 2021 being two of the worst offenses in James Franklin’s tenure, Dotson still managed to have his two best years, which allowed him to become a first round NFL Draft pick by the Washington Commanders.

Dotson’s clean route running, excellent hands, and elusiveness after the catch made him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and also makes him the second-best offensive player of the James Franklin era.

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