Penn State quarterback Drew Allar endured a nightmare performance in the Nittany Lions’ 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl. However, Allar wasn’t the only one struggling—Penn State’s wide receivers failed to catch a single pass, going 0-for-5 on targets, with Omari Evans and Harrison Wallace III contributing to the lackluster showing.
In the aftermath of this disappointing outing, both Evans and Wallace announced their intentions to transfer, utilizing the Nittany Lions’ five-day transfer portal window following their CFP exit. Wallace, a redshirt junior who had emerged as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, finished the season with 46 catches for 723 yards and four touchdowns. Evans, who overtook Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming as the No. 2 wide receiver, added 415 yards and five touchdowns on 21 receptions. Wallace and Evans, with one and two years of eligibility remaining, respectively, are now seeking fresh starts elsewhere.
Head coach James Franklin aimed to revitalize the passing game by bringing in offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, resulting in a breakout season for Allar and one of the most dynamic passing attacks in college football. Despite this, the talent at wide receiver remained a concern, especially after losing KeAndre Lambert-Smith to Auburn the previous offseason.
Penn State’s wide receivers struggled to gain separation in crucial games like the Orange Bowl, putting immense pressure on Allar. While losing both Evans and Wallace to the portal might seem like a setback, Franklin has already bolstered the roster by adding Kyron Hudson from USC and Devonte Ross from Troy. Both receivers, with only one season of eligibility, are expected to step into starting roles.
As Penn State looks to build on its returning talent, including Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, the wide receiver position remains a pivotal focus. The loss of tight end Tyler Warren to the NFL further emphasizes the need for reliable pass-catching options. Despite Evans and Wallace being the best the Nittany Lions had, their departure could be seen as an opportunity for improvement, with neither ranking high in key efficiency metrics compared to top receivers from teams like Ohio State and Oregon.
Hudson and Ross will face pressure to adapt quickly, and Penn State’s depth at wide receiver remains thin. Unless Franklin and Kotelnicki are confident in young prospects like Tyseer Denmark or incoming freshmen from the 2025 class, they might need to revisit the transfer portal, despite potential limitations in NIL resources after retaining much of their draft-eligible talent.
