Penn State football's wide receiver room hasn't been its strength, but with head coach Matt Campbell in charge, things are turning around in Happy Valley. That position room might just be one of them.
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The Nittany Lions are middle-of-the-pack, way too early Top 25 predictions. ESPN went through its list of top teams and assessed who their under-the-radar players are. For Penn State, a returning wide receiver earned that title.
Wide receiver Koby Howard played in nine games as a true freshman in 2025, making four starts as well. He was alongside veteran wideouts like Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson, but still made a name for himself in the room. He had seven receptions for 133 yards, averaging 19.1 yards per catch.
While he wasn't a frequent target of now Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, he still had opportunities to show off his ability. That mixed with his spring season made him a player to keep eyes on in 2026.
ESPN names wide receiver Koby Howard as Penn State's under-the-radar player in 2026
"Howard is a true sophomore who will be competing against a crowded group of older, more experienced transfers to establish himself as a dependable go-to receiver on a team that desperately needs one," Heather Dinich of ESPN wrote.
"He's one of few players, though, who was at Penn State last year and saw playing time . . . Those within the program expect him to compete for significantly more playing time this year."
The Nittany Lions' wideout room consists of 12 players, including Howard. True freshman Amarion Jackson is another name fans should get familiar with after Campbell offered him high praise during the spring.
Howard is specifically fighting for playing time as a slot receiver, someone Campbell can use on third downs especially. In 2025, the wideout had three catches of 20 or more yards. That kind of production is extremely beneficial as a slot receiver, and he has the size at 5-foot-11 and 201 pounds to move the chain or provide space for another pass catcher.
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