Situation and work ethic set Penn State wide receiver Malik McClain up for week one performance

ThomasFrankCarr

malick-mcclain-penn-state-football-2-on3 — Penn State wide receiver Malik McClain secured 24 snaps in the season-opening game against West Virginia, putting him fourth behind Trey Wallace, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Liam Clifford. (Photo: Frank Hyatt/BWI)

The Penn State coaching staff worked overtime this offseason to secure more veteran competition for the wide receiver room. It wasn’t a smooth ride by any means. If you remember, back in December of 2023, the team offered several receivers, including Jimmy Horn (Colorado), Kaden Prather (Maryland), and especially a former 2021 commit who ended up at Oregon Dont’e Thornton (Tennessee). While the team didn’t secure any of their top targets, Penn State head coach James Franklin and his staff got a late portal addition in former Florida State wide receiver Malik McClain.