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Penn State

James Franklin calls on KeAndre Lambert to maximize opportunity

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh08/11/23griffin_mcveigh
keandre-lambert-smith-sets-goals-2023-season
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1) heads for the end zone and a touchdown after catching a pass in the second half of the Rose Bowl Game played on January 2, 2023 against the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A new offensive era at Penn State is blossoming in front of them. Drew Allar is expected to take over the starting quarterback role under head coach James Franklin. A former five-star prospect out of Medina (OH) High School, Allar is being passed the keys to the car but is going to need a ton of support. Especially from his receivers.

One of those guys to help out could be KeAndre Lambert. There have been a few opportunities in the past, especially toward the end of the year. Where Franklin is looking for improvement is with the wide receiver’s consistency. If Lambert is going to make an impact entering his fourth season with the program, he must be ready to make the most of every opportunity thrown his way.

“I think he’s another guy that’s flashed brilliance at times,” Franklin said. “Again, consistency. I also think it’s opportunity. The last two games, he got some more opportunities. But the targets that you do get, you got to maximize them. There’s going to be some games you get six targets, there’s going to be some games you get 12 targets.

“You got to maximize those targets. There’s going to be some you catch in open space, there’s going to be some that are contested catches and you got to come down with them.”

Lambert in the last two games of the season made up for over 50% of his receiving yards production and hauled in two of his four touchdowns. The regular season finale against Michigan State and the Rose Bowl against Utah saw the receiver catch eight receptions for 207 yards and four touchdowns.

Every coach will tell you last season’s results do not matter. Franklin is looking for Lambert to make a significant contribution throughout the entire 2023 season. He could wind up being one of Penn State’s most important offensive players.

“I think he is progressing well,” Franklin said. “I think there’s a really strong relationship being built between him and Coach Haggins. I think he will and we need him to have a big year for us this year.”

The most receiving yards Lambert has finished with in a season is 531. His four touchdowns from last year were a career-high. If Penn State is going to have a solid season and potentially challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff, Franklin is going to look at Lambert to be a real threat.