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How did Omari Evans earn a role for Penn State just two games into his career?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•09/13/22•

GregPickel

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Penn State receiver Omari Evans. (Frank Hyatt)

Penn State coaches and players have been saying for months that the freshmen class is loaded with early impact contributors. While much of the attention focused on the running backs and a few defenders, a receiver was working his way up the depth chart during spring practice and preseason camp.

Now, perhaps unexpectedly, Omari Evans has a sizable role with the Lions just two games into his college football career. He was on the field for Penn State’s game-winning drive at Purdue. And, he caught his first career touchdown opposite Ohio. Per Pro Football Focus, Evans has been the fifth-most used receiver by the Lions. The rotation is still top-heavy. But, the 6-foot, 179-pound speedster figures to see his role increase as September rolls along.

Franklin, Clifford talk Evans’ Penn State progress

One major factor with many of Penn State’s early contributors from the Class of 2022 is that many enrolled back in January. That meant they got to go through spring practice and a full summer of workouts. Evans benefitted from that as much as anyone.

“He’s got some skills and talents that aren’t really coachable,” head coach James Franklin said Tuesday. “God-given talents and skills and ability in terms of speed. Was a guy that we were able to get in camp and get a true evaluation on during the recruiting process, and did extremely well. And, some of those things are starting to show up. For him, has not played a lot of wide receiver in his life. So, that development I think was really important. But, more than anything, it’s knowing the system inside and out. Understanding defenses, and then being able to get in the weight room to get strong enough to develop the size that he was going to need.

“His speed was never going to be an issue for him. It was all about strength, and wide receiver fundamentals and techniques and understanding defenses, strengths, weaknesses, and how we want to attack them those types of things. Obviously, getting on the field and then having some success helps. Because, that field experience, in Beaver Stadium or on the road when you have success, it usually has the ability to magnify and speed up a kid’s maturity and development from a football perspective. So, hopefully that will continue.”

Quarterback Sean Clifford has also seen the weekly and monthly progress. It’s allowed Evans to go from someone who might play all four games to a member of the offense who is used frequently in games.

Franklin would not commit to saying Evans would burn his redshirt this fall. But, that seems quite likely as No. 19 continues to improve on the Penn State practice and game fields. His speed can take the top off of defenses, and that’s what the Lions will want to see more of moving forward.

“I think with Omari, it’s been great to see his speed come out in full form when he knows what he’s doing,” Clifford said.

“That’s the key for the young guys. It’s all about knowing what you got to do with that talent to make the play. And I think Omari is really starting to pick it up. And, you know, the faster he plays the more he’s going to be able to benefit, and this team’s going to be able to benefit from him. So I think he’s definitely trending in the right direction. I’m excited for him.”

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