Former Penn State wide receiver excites in Chargers preseason debut

Former Penn State and current Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith has been a standout during training camp and kept the ball rolling into the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, July 31. The Chargers won 34-7.

"Efficiency if the key to getting open and becoming an elite receiver," Lambert-Smith said postgame. "A lot of guys may have speed or different type of savviness, but if [I] can be efficient getting out of breaks and plant[ing] a foot in certain positions — just route running ability, helping me critique that."

Lambert-Smith caught two passes for 43 yards, one of which was a 28-yard touchdown reception. The second of the rookie receiver duo, Tre Harris, was also an anticipated player in the preseason contest. However, the second-rounder didn't catch a single pass and instead laid low in the former Nittany Lion's spotlight.

"I always looked at myself as a top guy," Lambert-Smith. "I always pushed myself to that limit, always been challenged ever since coming out of high school . . . I instilled confidence in myself."

It's a possibility that the Washington Commanders will make a call to Los Angeles for a trade. Though Harris didn't perform well in Thursday's Hall of Fame game, the Chargers might lean towards trading away their fifth-round selection over their second-rounder. If a trade is put in place, Lambert-Smith will likely be the one to be dealt of the duo.

Los Angeles could also turn away from Commanders' Terry McLaurin entirely or pose a suggestion to trade for Quentin Johnston instead Lambert-Smith or Harris. According to his postgame interview, the former Penn State player said he's built solid connections with the coaching staff, making sure to connect with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal.

"I've always known what I'm capable of doing," Lambert-Smith said. "It's just a matter of showcasing it to different fan bases."

The wide receiver transferred for his 2024-25 collegiate season. Before then as a Nittany Lion, Lambert-Smith became the only player in program history to catch multiple 80-yard receptions. He posted 1,598 Penn State receiving yards, 116 receptions, three 70-yard plus touchdown catches, and 11 total touchdowns.

After his junior campaign, Lambert-Smith transferred to Auburn where he played 12 games with 11 starts. He recorded 50 receptions, just three below his last season as a Nittany Lion. The wide receiver totaled 981 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as well.

Lambert-Smith was a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Chargers selected him 158th overall.