Penn State Football: 5 holiday wish list items for Nittany Lions in 2019

2. Improved Wide Receivers

There were too many drops and not enough big plays from Penn State’s wide receivers this season. Chris Godwin, DaeSean Hamilton, Saquon Barkley, and Mike Gesicki spoiled fans in 2017.

Juwan Johnson also had 701 receiving yards in 2017, but his production dropped significantly in 2018. He finished this season with only 339 receiving yards and one touchdown. He had one amazing catch this season, but he had way too many drops and never became a major part of the offense despite being six feet and four inches tall.

Johnson will return for the 2019 season along with KJ Hamler, who led the team as a freshman with 714 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Hamler was one of the few bright spots for the Nittany Lions this season.

Finally, freshman tight end Pat Freiermuth had a solid freshman season. He had three touchdown receptions in the final two games of the season, and he could see an expanded role next season.

One player who will likely step into the spotlight is Justin Shorter. The top wideout in his class and a top-ten overall recruit has the potential to have a breakout season after only appearing in three games this year, which allowed him to stay a redshirt. He has great size at six feet and four inches, and his speed helps him make defenders miss after the catch.