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Penn State teammates say a pair of Nittany Lion receivers are set for a big season

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•04/15/22•

GregPickel

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Penn State receiver Mitchell Tinsley runs a drill during a Lions spring practice. (BWI photo)

Penn State football is excited about its receivers room in 2022.

Even without Jahan Dotson, there appears to be a good reason for that to be the case.

Many onlookers felt confident at the end of the 2021 season that Parker Washington would jump into a starring role as Dotson moved onto the NFL. There is no reason to believe that will not be the case. And, another returner with nearly 50 career catches and three touchdowns to his name, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, is expected to take on the biggest role he’s seen in blue and white.

That pair can’t do it all by themselves, however. In fact, it’s not a surprise that neither is the buzz of camp. Usually, the players who are highlighted by their coaches and peers in the spring are not the ones who are all but guaranteed to step into the spotlight but rather the ones just behind them who are making a move up the depth chart.

On Tuesday, two Penn State players picked out a pair of pass-catchers who have turned heads through nine spring practices.

Pair of Penn State receivers drawing rave reviews

To those who have been following Penn State spring practice updates, neither name should come as a surprise. One is Malick Meiga, and the other is Mitchell Tinsley.

Meiga, who enters his third year with the Lions, has long been the pick of teammates as someone who stands out on the practice field. However, he has just three career catches to his name. Thus, this spring should have been all about fine-tuning his craft so that he can transfer those skills from Holuba Hall to Beaver Stadium and beyond. And, it sounds like that has been the case.

“Obviously Malick’s a big guy,” tight end Brenton Strange said. “I mean, he’s just as big as some of the tight ends we have. But, he runs a lot better. So I think he’s an elite deep. When he goes down the field, it’s not many people who can run with him.”

Added safety Keaton Ellis:

“Malick’s having a really good spring. He’s been making big plays in practice. I’m just excited to watch him.”

Tinsley, then, was a big offseason addition for the Lions. He enrolled at Penn State in January after hauling in 130 passes for 1,779 yards and 18 touchdowns at Western Kentucky.

“Mitch, I’ve been impressed with since the first practice,” Strange said. “He’s a great player. I think y’all probably saw that and his stats and how he played at Western Kentucky.

“I’ve been very impressed with Mitch and how he’s handled everything, how he’s adjusted to the offense. He’s a great player.”

Ellis agreed but also reminded fans not to forget about the team’s younger receivers, either. That list includes returners Harrison Wallace III, Liam Clifford, and Jaden Dottin plus newcomers Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders.

“Those young guys are really working hard too, so I’m excited for them,” Ellis said. “It’s been a really good competition, and both sides of the ball are getting better. I’m just really excited to keep working.”

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