Penn State Football: 3 fixes to make before 2020 season

1. Who will catch the ball?

Penn State is losing their most dynamic wide receiver as KJ Hamler declared early for the NFL Draft. Former five star recruit Justin Shorter also transferred to Florida. So the wide receivers and passing game in general are a big question mark heading into the 2020 season.

One positive for the Nittany Lions is tight end  Pat Freiermuth is returning. But Jahan Dotson is the only locked in starting wide receiver returning. Daniel George should get another starting spot.  Behind them, there is a whole lot of inexperience. Cam Sullivan-Brown missed most of last season due to injury. Mac Hippenhammer struggled all year and had recorded only one reception. Finally, there are seven freshman, two redshirts and five that just arrived or will arrive in August.

Sean Clifford had a decent season and showed flashes of potential in his first year at quarterback. The quarterback position does not need fixed per se, but there are areas of weakness in Clifford’s game. He will also need to step it up and develop more of a rapport with his receivers now that his main target Hamler is gone.

New offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca and new wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield will need to earn their pay this season. Ciarrocca turned Minnesota’s offense into one that punished teams mainly due to their outstanding wide receivers. He will need to work his magic yet again if Penn State is to compete for the College Football Playoff.