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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Football, Tyler Warren

Check out the Top 5 Catches By Penn State Wide Receivers This Spring (VIDEO)

Robert ShieldsPenn State Football, , ,

All eyes this spring are on the new look Penn State wide receiver room, as Nittany Lions wide receivers coach Marcus Hagans’ room has undergone a complete overhaul since the end of last season.

With Penn State’s top two wide receivers from last season transferring out of the program and two quality starters from other programs transferring in, Penn State is hoping that the overhaul will jumpstart production in a room that lacked consistency for the Nittany Lions in key moments last season.

Penn State Football, Kaden Saunders
Wide Receiver Kaden Saunders could be a breakout star to watch for Penn State Football in 2024. (Image via USA TODAY Sports)

So far this spring, Penn State has given the media plenty of opportunities to see one-on-one drills with the wide receivers and defensive backs to show off the talent in the wide receiver room ahead of next season.

Top-Five Catches by Penn State Wide Recievers This Spring

Liam Clifford

With Omari Evans and Harrison Wallace III transferring this

offseason, Liam Clifford becomes the most experienced wide receiver in terms of production in a Penn State uniform. The redshirt senior has recorded 39 career catches for 505 yards and a touchdown. In this clip from the Daily Collegian’s Joel Haas, Clifford makes a nice grab for a high pass across the middle of the field.

Lyrick Samuel

One of the newest Nittany Lions on the roster, true freshman early enrollee Lyrick Samuel has impressed with his hands since stepping onto campus in January.

As an early enrollee, Samuel was able to take part in bowl preparation with the Nittany Lions during the college football playoff run last season. Listed at 6-foot-4-inches, 187 pounds, Samuel certainly needs to add weight for the college level, but his hands and size certainly look like a weapon early on for the Nittany Lions. Here in this clip from the Daily Collegian’s Joel Haas, Samuel snags a pass in the corner of the endzone one-handed over Penn State defensive back Jon Mitchell.

In the second clip from Penn State Rivals, Samuel goes up for a nice grab unguarded in the corner of the endzone.

Koby Howard

Another true freshman early enrollee, Koby Howard, has been getting rave reviews since stepping on campus in January.

Penn State strength coach Chuck Losey called Howard an “unbelievably strong, powerful guy.” Out of the three true freshman wide receivers to early enroll in 2025, Howard has appeared the most game-ready thus far on campus. Here in this clip from StateCollege.com’s Seth Engle, Howard adjusts to a high bad pass to make a nice snag (albeit out of bounds).

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Kaden Saunders

Looking healthy after an injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2024 season, redshirt junior Kaden Saunders will have an opportunity to finally compete for a starting spot once again this spring.

Saunders has caught only eight passes in his three-year career for Penn State, which was cut short by an injury that relegated him to punt return duty for the first four games last season before ultimately ending his season.

This spring, he seems to be back to form and pushing for playing time in the second year of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s system. In this clip by the Daily Collegian’s Joel Haas, Saunders is able to maneuver past safety Vaboue Toure before making a nice catch on the side of the endzone.

As spring practice continues and Penn State prepares for its annual Blue-White game, all eyes will continue to be on the wide receivers.

How much the wide receivers step up and make strides this offseason could ultimately impact just how far the Nittany Lions can go in 2025.

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Robert Shields
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