Penn State Football: 3 keys for successful 2020 season

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tyler Rudolph #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after recovering a kick against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the game at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tyler Rudolph #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after recovering a kick against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the game at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3. Young receivers must step up

A new position coach plus lots of new faces at the wide receiver position will be a big storyline for the Nittany Lions heading into fall camp. Having the younger receivers step up into key roles will help the Lions be a contender.

The big loss at the receiver position is KJ Hamler, who is now a member of the Denver Broncos. Other departures include Justin Shorter, who entered the transfer portal before the season concluded and is now a Florida Gator, and Mac Hippenhammer who transferred to Miami (OH).

Junior Jahan Dotson is the leading returning receiver with 488 yards and five touchdowns on 27 receptions. Dotson will be the clear number one but the question is who else will step up?

Daniel George and Cam-Sullivan Brown will likely be the the number two and three guys however there are some freshmen vying for playing time. Redshirt freshmen TJ Jones or John Dunmore are names to keep an eye on. True freshmen KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Parker Washington both have athleticism and speed to make impacts early.

There are plenty of options for new wide receiver coach Taylor Stubblefield and quarterback Sean Clifford to rely on. The talent is there and if the receivers step up big, it will surely lead to success.