The 2025 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List released on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Penn State football dipped into the Transfer Portal over the offseason to upgrade its wide receiver room, and it landed two pass catchers that already have national recognition as potentially the best receiver in the country.
Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross transferred from Syracuse and Troy, respectively, after the 2024 season. Both wide receivers have one year of eligibility remaining as Pena enters his redshirt senior-plus season and Ross enters his senior season.
Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross named to 2025 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
With the Orange, Pena recorded 84 receptions for 941 yards and nine touchdowns. He was a Second Team All-ACC selection in 2024 and finished third in the ACC for receiving touchdowns. Pena was also named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List for the most versatile player in college football.
At Troy, Ross had 76 receptions for 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the 2024 All-Sun Belt First Team all-purpose and as a wide receiver, and made the All-Sun Belt Second Team as a return specialist. Ross also led the conference in receiving touchdowns.
Congratulations to Trebor Pena @PenaTrebor for being named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List! The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver at any position. @PennStateFBall @GoPSUSports #OutstandingReceiver #NCFAA pic.twitter.com/VzQ6zsV67M
— Biletnikoff Award (@biletnikoffawrd) August 6, 2025
After the first couple days of training camp, head coach James Franklin commended his newest additions to the wideout room, also including Kyron Hudson.
"They've all been great," Franklin said of Pena, Ross, and Hudson. ". . . We have more depth right now at wide receiver than we've had."
Congratulations to Devonte Ross @devonteross22 for being named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List! The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver at any position. @PennStateFBall @GoPSUSports #OutstandingReceiver #NCFAA pic.twitter.com/oA3S3zYc1T
— Biletnikoff Award (@biletnikoffawrd) August 6, 2025
Ross, specifically, is standing out as one of Penn State's players to watch, According to David Pollack on "See Ball Get Ball," he expects the transfer wide receiver to be the main target that puts an end to the Nittany Lions' wideout struggles from 2024-25. He went as far as to say that Ross may even be the Penn State player to watch in 2025-26.
"They’ve got to get some great play," Pollack said. "[Ross] could be that guy on the outside with some experience.”
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, the creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, recognizes the top receiver — regardless of position — in college football. The recipient does not have to be a wide receiver, they can also be a tight end, slot back, or running back, according to the press release. More players are often added to the watch list as the season progresses based on their performances.