Penn State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
Wide Receivers
Starting wide receivers: Saeed Blacknail, DaeSean Hamilton, DeAndre Thompkins
Backups: Juwan Johnson, Irvin Charles, Brandon Polk
Gone is Chris Godwin, who was stellar as McSorley’s main target last season, but PSU returns pretty much everyone else of note. The Nittany Lions will likely rotate bodies quite a bit to take advantage of a loaded unit, but Saeed Blacknail and DaeSean Hamilton are shoo-ins for the starting lineup. Blacknail was a tremendous deep threat last season, averaging 23.1 yards per catch, while Hamilton saw his numbers dip as he moved to the slot but is still a supreme talent.
More from Penn State Nittany Lions
- Penn State Football: 3 Reasons Why Nittany Lions Will Beat Illinois
- Watch: Drew Allar’s first start for Penn State football is off to dream start
- The Big Ten Championship Game is looking for new locations
- Penn State Football 2023 Season Preview
- The best college football game for each week in November
Coaches have been raving about Juwan Johnson, but for now, we’ll favor the experience and production of DeAndre Thompkins, who caught 27 balls for 440 yards in 2016. Moreover, 6-foot-4 Irvin Charles looks like another big-play receiver in the making, while dimunitive junior Brandon Polk will back up Hamilton in the slot.
Starting tight end: Mike Gesicki
Backup: Nick Bowers
As if Penn State didn’t have enough weapons, they might have the best tight end in college football lining up for them every down in 2017. Gesicki was virtually impossible to cover last season, as the 6-foot-6 tight end carved up opposing defenses to the tune of 679 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He’ll be a tremendous security blanket for McSorley as the QB finds a new number one option among the receivers.
Backup duties are likely a toss-up between sophomores Nick Bowers and Jonathan Holland. We’ll lean towards the 264-pound Bowers for now, who’s returning from a season-ending injury but has been praised for his blocking chops.