While the Penn State Nittany Lions lost in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, head coach James Franklin believes his wide receiver group was one of the position groups that improved this season.
How James Franklin Plans To Address the Position
A former wide receivers coach himself, Franklin knows what it takes to be great at that position.
In front of the media earlier this week, Franklin chatted about his outlook on the Penn State WRs and what he hopes to do to possibly improve the position.
James Franklin said the wide receivers “got better this year” but the performance at the end of the season “taints the perspective.”
Also talked about the process of looking for guys at the spot in the transfer portal, and the impact freshmen can make. pic.twitter.com/lSoChu4MWc
— Lyle Alenstein (@LAlenstein) February 11, 2025
“I felt like we got better this year,” Franklin said. “Obviously, when the season ends the way it did, that probably taints the perspective…We obviously went into the transfer portal and got some guys, as well, who have also been impressive.”
Franklin went on to mention that although the team has not made a point of utilizing the transfer portal for every position, adding a wide receiver or two from there could be an option. However, he added that he wants to be smart about adding receivers from the portal.
The team’s No. 1 wide receiver this season was junior Harrison Wallace III, as he reeled in 46 receptions for 720 yards and four touchdowns. Of course, the team’s leading pass catcher, regardless of position, was senior tight end Tyler Warren, who caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns.
With Warren set to leave for the NFL, Franklin is likely going to have to find production through the air elsewhere, namely at WR.
Going into the portal is not a bad thing in this day and age of college football, especially when you consider that teams are winning the national championship because of it.
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Penn State’s rival, Ohio State, was able to get former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins in the portal last offseason, and he ended up rushing for over 1,000 yards en route to helping the Buckeyes win the national title.
If you are Franklin, the transfer portal might be the way to go if you want to upgrade the offense out wide and in the slot.
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