Penn State Football: 3 reasons to be optimistic about the wide receivers in 2023

Versatility

One aspect of the 2023 wide receiver room that gives reason for optimism is the versatility of the group.

Let’s start with the four veterans just mentioned.

Wallace and McClain are the big-body athletes capable of making circus catches and being mismatches in the redzone. Lambert-Smith has the combination of size at 6-foot-1 and speed that makes him valuable both in the slot and out wide. Expect him to continue to be the big play threat in the starting lineup.

As for Cephas, he may not make the crazy catches Penn State football fans have been accustomed to with the likes of Washington and Jahan Dotson, but he is a sure handed wideout that will be a nice safety net for Allar in big situations.

Moving down the depth chart a bit, we find two speedsters headed into their second season in Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders. The Nittany Lions tried to use Evans in big-play opportunities, connecting on a couple. At the end of the season, he accumulated five catches for 55 yards and a score. Look for the staff to continue to force the issue down field with Evans in 2023. Saunders, the highest rated receiver recruit brought in over the past few years, did not see much action in 2022 but looks like the future starter in the slot at Penn State. Look for him to have an increased role in 2023.

Another name to know if Liam Clifford, the younger brother of Sean Clifford. Clifford appeared in 11 games in 2022 and caught eight passes for 89 yards. He’s not as explosive as Evans or Saunders but is sure handed and brings some physicality at 6-foot-1 and nearly 200 pounds.

These seven wide outs should be the two deep to start the season, but redshirt freshmen Cristian Driver and Anthony Ivey could also see some run.

This group can come at defenses in enough different ways to make life difficult on the defenders.