Penn State visibly struggled with its wide receiver core in 2024-25. Not a single receiver caught a pass in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Notre Dame, the biggest game of the Nittany Lions' season.
If Omari Evans and Harrison Wallace III were of any help, the Orange Bowl outcome may have fallen in favor of Penn State. Looking at hypotheticals, obviously Drew Allar not throwing that pick could've changed the result as well. However, when considering players to watch in 2025-26, Allar isn't necessarily the player to watch. He'll be an exciting one, but with so many returners and tons of experience in the locker room, the player to watch has to be a key difference maker that sets this season apart from last.
For college football expert David Pollack, a wide receiver is the choice. Specifically, Devonte Ross.
David Pollack says Devonte Ross is Penn State's player to watch on "See Ball Get Ball"
Head coach James Franklin hit the Transfer Portal for the wide receiver upgrades his team desperately needed. Yes, desperate. Wide receivers should contribute to any top team at any point in the season, never mind a ranked team in the semifinals.
He hit well. Franklin got Troy transfer Ross, Syracuse transfer Trebor Pena, and USC transfer Kyron Hudson. According to On3, though, Pollack said Ross sits above in the trio and should be the receiver to watch — the player to watch at that.
"They’ve got to get some great play," Pollack said of the Nittany Lions. "[Ross] could be that guy on the outside with some experience.”
As a junior, Ross earned spots on the 2024 All-Sun Belt First Team as a wide receiver and all-purpose selection, and the 2024 All-Sun Belt Second Team as a return specialist. He ranked fifth in the country for touchdown receptions, posting 11 on the season in 2024. On top of that, Ross had 76 receptions for 1,043 yards, which became, respectively, the sixth and fourth most in Troy program history.
There will be a jump from a G5 to a Power Four school, but Ross is joining a high level team. No rookie quarterback, no weak offensive line, and tons of veterans. Having an elite team surrounding him will give him space to be a difference maker, someone that pushes Penn State above its 2024 ceiling.
The Nittany Lions already knew what they were getting with the three transfers. During summer training, strength coach Chuck Losey said that the biggest thing for the Ross, Pena, and Hudson was getting them comfortable with the regime and program more so than test their athleticism. For Ross, specifically, the rising senior has three years of experience under his belt and performed better as a junior than Penn State's No. 1 wide receiver Wallace III — 323 yards better in less games.
“They’ve been great for our room," Allar said of all three transfers at 2025 Big Ten Media Days. " . . . they came in and put their head down and worked. They were not coming in entitled to anything. They earned everybody’s respect from the players standpoint, on the offensive side of the ball and defensive side of the ball, and the coaching staff . . . they’re unselfish . . . So, I’m really excited.”