Penn State Football’s leading receiver from the 2023 season, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, is strongly considering entering the transfer portal and is not expected to play his final season at Penn State next fall.

A four-star wide receiver from the 2020 class, Lambert-Smith played four seasons for the Nittany Lions, recording 126 catches for 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2023, Lambert-Smith led the Nittany Lions in catches and receiving yards, recording 53 catches for 673 yards and four touchdowns.

Penn State star receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith has been away from the team this week and is strongly considering entering the transfer portal, sources tell @247Sports.

Lambert-Smith, an early-round prospect for the 2025 NFL draft, led Penn State with 53 catches last year.… pic.twitter.com/skyCUzXmqe

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 12, 2024

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KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s Disappointing 2023

 

Despite leading all Penn State wide receivers last season, Lambert-Smith was a non-factor in the Nittany Lions final four games of the season, catching only two passes for a total of 28 yards, including not recording a catch in Penn State’s Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss.

Lambert-Smith was not seen at Penn State’s practice the week before the blue and white game ahead of him potentially entering the transfer portal.

Despite the slow end to last season, Lambert-Smith was projected to start again for the Nittany Lions in 2024 in new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s offense.

At the beginning of April, James Franklin praised Lambert-Smith for building a “really good relationship” with Kotelnicki, adding that the fifth year senior had shown “real flashes.”

Franklin continued that he was “seeing more consistency in the special plays and production” from Lambert-Smith this spring. With those comments from Franklin, Lambert-Smith’s entry into the portal is certainly a surprise.

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Where does Penn State go from here?

 

With Lambert-Smith potentially heading to the portal, Penn State Football will look to fill another starting position at wide receiver for next fall.

Alongside projected starters Harrison Wallace and Julian Fleming, Penn State could look to a number of players to step up.

Franklin mentioned earlier this spring that he thought the whole wide receiver group had “improved” but was still looking for a couple of guys “separate themselves from the pack.”

This sentiment from Franklin was eerily similar to his comments during spring practice in 2023 however, when Franklin was hoping for other Penn State wide receivers to catch up to Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace III.

Kaden Saunders could be a player ready to step into a larger role.

Earlier this spring, Penn State safety Jalen Reed mentioned that Kaden Saunders “has came a long way,” adding “I feel like he’s gonna be that type of guy this year. If we keep putting him in good situations, I feel he’s gonna be good.”

With Penn State looking to fill a starting position, Saunders may have plenty of opportunity to prove how far he’s come. In addition to Saunders, Liam Clifford, Omari Evans, Tyler Johnson, Mehki Flowers, and Malik McClain could all push for reps. With the spring portal window opening, Penn State could also look for another receiver in the portal ahead of fall camp.

MORE: Julian Fleming Has Bold Proclamation about WR Corps

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