Penn State Football: Ranking the 10 best players on the 2023 roster
![STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads the team onto the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads the team onto the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/97eb026b4ddfa275d9849a39692c9d6d696226b6e66f25389d67114bd7dca5a2.jpg)
9. WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Penn State loses its top two receivers from last season in Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, but the third starter, KeAndre Lambert-Smith returns for his senior season in 2023.
Known best for his 88-yard touchdown reception in the Rose Bowl, Lambert-Smith has always shown big-play potential throughout his career. In his three-year career, Lambert-Smith has caught 73 passes for 1,048 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 6-foot-1 wide receiver broke out in 2022, bringing in 24 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 16.2 yards per reception.
Lambert-Smith’s versatility will make him very important to the 2023 team. With Dante Cephas locked into an outside receiver role, Lambert-Smith may have to move to the slot if the other starter ends up being Harrison Wallace or Malik McClain.
His ability to turn a game upside down with one play and the fact that he may be the most versatile player on the offense, makes Lambert-Smith ones of the best players on this team.