Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross tabbed as potential best receiver in the country

Two transfer wide receivers already look to be impact players with latest release of the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List.
Penn State wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) runs with the ball during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) runs with the ball during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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.

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."

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.