Penn State Teammates Give Rave Reviews of 2 WRs Who Haven’t Seen Many Game Reps
After Penn State wide receivers failed to catch a single pass in the Nittany Lions’ Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame last January, head coach James Franklin made it a priority for the Nittany Lions to address the position in the transfer portal this offseason.
After bringing in three starting wide receivers from other programs through the transfer portal this offseason, Penn State has stuck with a shallow rotation of just the three transfers, Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross, and Trebor Pena, and super senior Liam Clifford.
Teammates Seem to Contradict James Franklin on WR Depth
James Franklin on backup receivers
Penn State has yet to utilize redshirt freshman Tyseer Denmark and true freshman Kobe Howard more than a few snaps this season.
When asked about this limited usage (which includes only six total offensive snaps in the past four games), Franklin noted that the opportunity hasn’t presented itself.
“Obviously, [Penn State’s] in a position right now where we don’t have plays and drives to just throw somebody out there and see how it goes.” Franklin told reporters. “We’ve got to get our best guys on the field.
“Every rep is like gold, every drive is like gold, and we’ve got to maximize that. And if we feel like guys give us a better chance based on what we see in practice, then yeah, we would do that. But if not, we’re not in a position right now to just put guys out there to see how they do. That’s what practice is for.”
From all of that, it sounds as though practice reps have been a barrier to Denmark and Howard getting game reps on Saturdays.
However, Penn State’s defensive backs painted a different story on Thursday when speaking to the media.
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King Mack on Tyseer Denmark and Kobe Howard
After returning to Penn State himself this offseason in the transfer portal, safety King Mack has earned the second starting safety role opposite Zakee Wheatley in Penn State’s secondary.
On Thursday, Mack was asked about Penn State’s two backup receivers, Howard and Denmark. Mack stated the pair were “talented…When I say talent, very, very talented.”
According to Mack, Penn State’s young receivers have impressed on the practice field throughout the season.
Mack noted that the pair of receivers was “doing the right things. They perform every day. They do what they’re told.”
If and when Denmark or Howard see game action, Mack believes they have what it takes to be key contributors.
“It’s a matter of time when that opportunity comes,” Mack said. “Them taking advantage of that opportunity … When the coaches feel like it’s that time to showcase, then it’s that time for them to showcase.”
But as far as preparation and ability to make plays, they definitely have that ability. 100 percent.”
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Audavion Collins on Kobe Howard
Another former transfer addition to the Penn State roster, cornerback Audavion Collins, also brought up Kobe Howard when asked if any young receivers were standing out in practice.
In his answer, Collins noted that Howard is “gonna be a great guy here.”
While the pair of talented young wide receivers may not be given an opportunity to impress fans on the field so far through their Penn State careers, they have done enough in practice to impress their fellow teammates.
When they will get an opportunity to show off their skills at game time will be determined by Franklin and wide receivers coach Marcus Hagans.
Until then, the duo will have to continue putting in the word behind the scenes to give the coaches enough confidence to trust them on game day.
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