Penn State WR questions will linger, a portal pickup shined, more of what they're saying after the Blue-White game
Penn State coach James Franklin was happy with the work his team put in during Saturday’s Blue-White game, which is now being discussed by various reporters following Team White’s 27-0 win over Team Blue.
“I thought we had 15 really physical competitive practices,” Franklin said. “I thought today was good. Got a lot of work in and got a bunch of situations covered. I thought it was really good. It was a physical 15th practice. We were able to stay healthy today, which I thought was really good.”
Here’s what’s being said around the Internet about the Blue-White game.
Penn State receiver questions will linger
This is the path SI’s Mark Wogenrich, along with numerous others, took. With KeAndre Lambert-Smith expected to enter the transfer portal, the remaining Penn State receivers flashed during the Blue-White game, but not enough to keep many from wondering if the group will be better in 2024.
“For the second consecutive season, the Nittany Lions will begin a season needing to convince college football, if not themselves, that they’re a playoff contender with their current corps of receivers,” Wogenrich writes. “The position hasn’t changed much since last season, aside from one departure and one likely forthcoming. Dante Cephas transferred to Kansas State this offseason, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith appears ready to enter the portal. Lambert-Smith, who led the Lions with 53 catches last year, was not on the roster for Saturday’s Blue-White Game, and Franklin’s answer about the receiver’s status didn’t leave much room for a return.
“When training camp arrives in August, Franklin is going to get the same questions about his receivers. Certainly. he’ll be prepared.”
Are the Lions good enough at wide receiver?
Speaking of questions, that’s the one asked by Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle. He pointed out the strong showing of confidence James Franklin had for the group after the Blue-White game but, like Wogenrich, insists that questions about the group logically remain. Writes Scarcella:
The transfer portal re-opens Tuesday, when Penn State could add and lose players in addition to Lambert-Smith. Including walk-ons, the Lions have 18 wide receivers on their roster. If they add one or two through the portal that can help them – which is not easy at this time of the year – somebody has to go to get to 85 scholarship players.
“This could be an interesting couple of weeks for everybody in college football,” Franklin said. “We just had a discussion in the locker room about that, but I’m pleased with where we’re at.
“We do have some work to do between now and summer camp.”
Especially at wide receiver.
A portal pickup shined
That’s the take from BWI publisher Sean Fitz. In his first impressions piece, he zeroed in on the day transfer cornerback AJ Harris had. He finished with a game-high seven tackles (one for loss) and had a pass breakup.
“Penn State looks like it found something to work with in the Transfer Portal this offseason in former Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris,” Fitz writes. “The sophomore played opposite the first-team offense and in a contest where it’s tough to take too much away, Harris looks like a guy who can slide right into that defense and be effective. Harris was credited with a team-high seven tackles (though Blue-White stats aren’t exactly scientific) and two tackles for loss. He was sticky in coverage and an easy pick as the game’s top standout.”
A Lions linebacker is ready to take the next step
PennLive’s Bob Flounders took note of the progress shown by sophomore linebacker Tony Rojas. He bulked up this offseason while retaining his speed. With starter reps likely, he could be the next Penn State defender to become a breakout star.
“The footspeed, those instincts, you can tell when a Penn State linebacker is going to be a difference-maker at a young age,” Flounders writes. “You could see it with Abdul Carter in 2022. And you can see it with Rojas, who is expected to start for new coordinator Tom Allen in the fall, even if the Lions rely heavily on a nickel scheme that features five defensive backs and only two linebackers.”
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