For Penn State's Receivers, the Quest for Consistency Continues

The Lions begin the stretch run looking for more dependable production from their wideouts.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Eight games into the football season, Penn State still seeks that receiving spark to complement KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Who knows, coach James Franklin said Tuesday, it might emerge when the Nittany Lions visit Maryland.

“I have total belief of everybody's ability in that locker room and in the Lasch Building. If I didn't, they wouldn't be there. Every single person,” Franklin said Tuesday. “Are there things they can do better? No doubt about it. I'm not saying that. But that's also part of it as well, right? As the receivers continue to become more consistent or make plays, you never know. Saturday the light could go on, boom, they have their coming out party and you guys are excited and writing positive things and saying positive things and I'm excited coming to the press conference talking about somebody.”

The wide receiver position has been a season-long conversation for Penn State, which visits the Terps on Saturday. Lambert-Smith, who leads Penn State with 43 receptions, is the only receiver with more than 15 catches. And with No. 2 receiver Harrison Wallace III, injured against Indiana, potentially out for Saturday's game, those concerns have been amplified.

Beyond Wallace and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, playing time has been a revolving door among the rest of the receivers. Dante Cephas and Malik McClain saw the most time against Indiana on Saturday. Omari Evans garnered buzz in the offseason but has fallen out of the picture, playing just 10 offensive snaps over the past three games and none against Ohio State and Indiana. Liam Clifford and Kaden Saunders are right on the bubble of more playing time but have a combined 14 catches.

And as always, Franklin continues to seek more consistency. The Lions have recorded a Big Ten-high 21 drops this season, according to Sports Info Solutions, a number that considers all targets. Lambert-Smith has received 66 targets, or 43.4 percent of all targets to wide receivers. No other wideout has been targeted more than 21 times.

"It's about consistency," Franklin said. "I think that's really kind of always the measuring stick, not just for wide receivers but at every position. The guys that are starting or playing significant reps are the guys that have shown the most consistency in practice and shown the most consistency in games."

As a result, and considering Wallace's potential absence, Franklin said the offense could play even more snaps with two tight ends. According to Sports Info Solutions, nearly half of the targets to Lambert-Smith (32) have come in 12-personnel formations.

"That's also why 12 personnel is a big part of what we do and how we do it, and probably will be moving forward," Franklin said. "Why? Because our tight end room are proven commodities and have the ability to help us in the run and the pass, and I think have been pretty darn consistent."

Still, Franklin sought to dispel concerns about the receiver position Tuesday, saying that he trusts the group. But the coach also repeated the need for consistency both mentally and physically from the position.

"I'm trying to answer your questions the best I can without being divisive to my team or players. We've all seen examples of coaches that have not handled that well," Franklin said. "Whether they meant to be that way or not, that's how it comes off and it causes problems. That's all a delicate balance. How do I answer your question without doing one of those two things?

"That doesn't mean I'm not having very direct conversations with someone. I also don't want to say something in this press conference that I haven't said to that player first or to those players first. I don't think that's the right thing to do."

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Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.

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