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Penn State football: 3 second-year players who’ll become stars in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Penn State head coach James Franklin greets freshman quarterback Drew Allar during pre-game warmups at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 112622 Psumsu
Penn State head coach James Franklin greets freshman quarterback Drew Allar during pre-game warmups at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 112622 Psumsu /
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Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Kaden Saunders (7) looks for a way around safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The defense defeated the offense 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Kaden Saunders (7) looks for a way around safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The defense defeated the offense 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

We didn’t see a ton of Kaden Saunders as a freshman, but he was able to retain his redshirt which is huge for the Nittany Lions’ offense.

Penn State’s top two receivers from last year — Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley — are both gone so it needs someone to step up as the WR1 in 2023. Why not the former top-60 receiver? He played in just three games last season so his inexperience may be an issue, but talent surely is not.

Saunders was the No. 55 recruit in the 2022 class and the Nittany Lions’ top-ranked wideout last cycle. He caught just two passes for 21 yards.

Having a new quarterback next season means that new top targets must step up and develop a solid rapport. Saunders and his fellow 2022 classmate — and quarterback — could develop a deadly connection and get the Nittany Lions back to the top of the Big Ten East.

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