Explaining KeAndre Lambert-Smith's decision to transfer, potential destination

On3’s Pete Nakos reported last week that Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith was expected to enter the transfer portal, and on Monday, Lambert-Smith did, and Nakos explained why the Nittany Lion wideout made that choice.

Lambert-Smith enjoyed four full years at Penn State, hauling in at least 100+ yards worth of production each season to accumulate 1,700 total by the end of 2023. This past fall, he also led the team in receiving yards by more than 200, with a career-high 673 and four touchdowns to go with it — but perhaps that’s the problem.

Per Nakos, Penn State’s passing offense just isn’t dynamic enough for a guy like him to really shine. After four years of loyalty to James Franklin and PSU, it was just time to try out a different offense.

“Yeah, so late Friday afternoon, got some confirmation from someone close to his group that he does intend to transfer portal. I think that what people need to think about here, it’s a fifth-year guy.

“Drew Allar has a lot of upside, he didn’t have the best year ever last year. I think that KeAndre Lambert-Smith is looking at the situation saying ‘hey, I need to go to a situation where the ball is being thrown my way a lot, I feel confidence in the quarterback.’ I think that’s what happened.”

Miami certainly wasn’t the better team than Penn State last year, but with Ward in from Washington State and a more pass-happy approach offensively than the Nittany Lions, perhaps that’s a location where KLS would like to spend his fifth year. Plus, don’t count out the benefit of some warm weather after Lambert-Smith dealt with the tough winters of the northeast over the last four years.

But when it comes to Miami, Nakos just thinks there’s some appeal with Ward and what they’ve got going on down there.

“I think Cam Ward just had a really good spring game, I think Miami looks attractive to a lot of wide receivers and I think that’s kind of the situation around here right now,” he said. Andy Staples added that Miami could be in the market for a running back too and is definitely getting active in the portal this spring.

Maybe Lambert-Smith will catch on with a massive culture shift from State College to Coral Gables, but either way, the talented and experienced wideout will have plenty of suitors after hitting the portal.