Penn State Football: 5 commits in 2018 class who’ll have instant impact

2. Justin Shorter, 5-star WR

Penn State will have wide receivers Juwan Johnson, DeAndre Thompkins and Brandon Polk back next season and a lot of unproven depth behind them. Quarterback Trace McSorley will no longer have DaeSean Hamilton, who leaves the school the all-time leader in receptions. With the vacancies, Justin Shorter is certain to push for playing time his freshman year.

Out of South Brunswick, New Jersey, Shorter is listed as the country’s top receiver in the 2018 class. James Franklin said of the kid when he signed with the Lions “Justin Shorter is as good a high school wide receiver that I’ve ever seen, on film and in person.” The quote should be proof enough to get Penn State fans excited.

Shorter will have to hit the ground running if he hopes to gain playing time this fall. He is not enrolling at Penn State until the summer. He has similar height and build as Johnson at six-foot-four 220 pounds.  His size and speed is sure to be a match-up problem for opposing defenses. Along with Slade, Shorter is too talented to keep off the field this season. The coaches will find ways to utilize his talents wherever they can find room for him.