Penn State Football: 3 players who could step up at wide receiver

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Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (18) runs with the ball on a punt return during the fourth quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Omari Evans

One of Lambert-Smith’s roles in Penn State’s offense was to be the big-play guy.

Last season, Lambert-Smith averaged 15.3 yards per catch and had multiple big plays, including an 83-yard touchdown against Villanova and a 42-yard touchdown against Arkansas.

With him out of the lineup, Penn State loses its deep threat. Enter true freshman Omari Evans.

The speedster from Texas has shocked some people by how much playing he’s seen already as a true freshman. He’s played in all five games, meaning his redshirt is officially burned.

While he’s played a decent amount, Evans hasn’t seen a ton of volume in the passing game. He has two catches for 30 yards and a touchdown this year. The touchdown came on a 32-yard pass from fellow true freshman Drew Allar.

Evans may not be connecting on all these plays, but the Nittany Lions are giving him opportunities. Sean Clifford threw a deep ball to Evans in the endzone against Northwestern, but the pass was just a step too long for Evans.

The biggest thing Evans has going for him is his speed, the rest of his game is still a work in progress. Evans probably won’t catch five or more passes in a game this year, but if his one or two a game go for touchdowns or gains of over 40 yards, then he’s done his job.

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