Penn State positional outlook: Breaking down the long-term picture at wide receiver

BWI is analyzing the depth and overall outlook of each Penn State football position group at this point in the offseason, continuing today with the wideouts.

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Position	Seniors	Juniors	Sophomores	Freshmen
WR	Mitchell Tinsley	Parker Washington KeAndre Lambert-Smith	Jaden Dottin Malick Meiga	Kaden Saunders Anthony Ivey Omari Evans Tyler Johnson Liam Clifford Harrison Wallace III

Sixth year:

None

Fifth year:

Mitchell Tinsley

The only scholarship addition from the transfer portal of Penn State’s offseason so far, Tinsley took the junior college route to Western Kentucky, where he became a standout wide receiver last season. Tinsley posted 1,402 yards over 14 games, finding the end zone 14 times in 2021.

“The strength staff has been really impressed by him,” James Franklin said. “Sean Clifford has been really impressed with him. That gives us a veteran guy with Jahan [Dotson] leaving. Jahan, obviously, was extremely productive. Mitchell was very, very productive as well. It gives us an older guy.”

Fourth year:

None

Third year:

Parker Washington

Washington has been Penn State’s No. 2 wideout since practically the very first snap he took for the Nittany Lions. In 2022, he could get his chance to be the No. 1. Washington made 64 receptions for 820 yards and four touchdowns last season. He was one of a few bright spots for the Nittany Lions in an Outback Bowl defeat, catching seven passes for 98 yards against Arkansas with Dotson sidelined.

“There’s a lot to be excited about in his future,” Franklin said. “Got tremendous ball skills. He’s smart. He can make people miss. He’s built more like a tailback than he is a running back which I think helps him in a lot of different situations.”

KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Like Washington, Penn State has depended on Lambert-Smith almost from day one. He finished 2021 with 34 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing an ability to make the explosive play. He also had a productive Outback Bowl, racking up 74 yards and a score.

“Coming in next year and to see Parker and KeAndre do some good things today, that’s going to be important because we’re losing a lot of production in Jahan Dotson,” Franklin said after that game.

Jaden Dottin

An On3 Consensus four-star prospect in the Class of 2020, it’s been difficult for Dottin to get snaps to this point in his career. He appeared in only three games in 2021, playing a total of four snaps.

Malick Meiga

Penn State fans started to see some flashes of what Meiga can do as he emerged to claim more snaps toward the end of the season. He connected with Christian Veilleux for a 67-yard touchdown against Rutgers, finishing the season with three receptions for 78 yards.

“I’d say this year I started feeling pretty comfortable with all the work we do, all the practicing we do,” Meiga said. “The practice is just like the games and they prepare you for the game. And I feel like we can see that.”

Second year:

Liam Clifford

A three-star prospect according to the On3 Consensus, Clifford did not see any game time in 2021.

Harrison Wallace III

Another true freshman in 2021, Wallace played 14 snaps across weeks two and four for the Nittany Lions, but did not register a reception.

“They got to the point where they hit the wall a little bit with the playbook that slowed down their opportunity to get on the field early on,” Franklin said of Wallace and Clifford this season. “But now they’re starting to kind of get their second wind and come on.”

First year:

Kaden Saunders

The No. 101 overall prospect according to the On3 Consensus, Saunders is one of the more exciting members of Penn State’s Class of 2022. He was an early enrollee, which should accelerate his chances of playing next season.

Anthony Ivey

Ivey joins Saunders as one of two four-star wideouts in the Class of 2022 for the Nittany Lions. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Ivey is the No. 233 overall prospect according to the On3 Consensus.

Omari Evans

Evans played all over the field in high school, including at quarterback during his senior season, where he was a second-team all-conference selection. He’s already enrolled at Penn State as he makes the adjustment to wideout full-time. On3’s consensus gives him three stars and the No. 503 overall ranking in his class.

Tyler Johnson

Johnson is a bit polarizing when it comes to the rankings systems. On3 rates him as a four-star prospect and the No. 52 wideout in the Class of 2022, but the Consensus has him as a three-star, and the No. 87 wideout. Like Ivey, Johnson has not enrolled early and will have to wait to get his college career underway.