Are Penn State’s WRs good enough to reach the College Football Playoff? James Franklin thinks so

There are certainly exceptions. But one constant among College Football Playoff teams in recent years has been game-changing wide receivers.

Alabama is the best example, climbing to the mountaintop with Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy and Calvin Ridley. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson helped the Buckeyes to three CFP appearances in four years. Oklahoma had a run propelled by CeeDee Lamb and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. TCU reached its first CFP thanks in part to star receiver Quinten Johnson.

Like the Horned Frogs did last year, Penn State is looking to make that leap. But with spring camp underway, a lingering question — one that will continue to linger throughout the summer and into training camp — is whether or not the Nittany Lions have the receivers necessary to get the job done.

James Franklin believes they do.

“We think there’s the talent in that room to go where we want to go,” Franklin said Tuesday. He didn’t specify where they “want to go,” but players haven’t been shy about verbalizing their national championship hopes and expectations since the Rose Bowl.

If Penn State gets there, it will be without Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley. The team’s top two targets are off to the NFL, leaving new receivers coach Marques Hagans to sift through a collection of talented, but relatively unproven options.

Kent State transfer Dante Cephas is set to enroll after the spring. He’s as close to a locked in starter as the group has despite not catching a pass from Drew Allar yet. Cephas totaled 1,984 yards and 12 touchdowns the last two seasons. The All-MAC receiver has the size, speed and experience to be an All-Big Ten player.

As for the rest of the room, it has serious potential. Florida State transfer and former blue-chip recruit Malik McClain could thrive with a fresh start. KeAndre Lambert-Smith showcased his big-play ability in the Rose Bowl. Harrison Wallace III is a breakout candidate. So are 2022 freshmen Kaden Saunders and Omari Evans.

But ultimately, it’s up to those receivers — plus Liam Clifford, Malick Meiga and the rest of the 2022 signees — to make good on that potential.

“I think we have to be tougher and we have to be more consistent,” Franklin said. “… The biggest word for me is consistency. And that’s not just at wide receiver, that’s at every position. Pretty much everybody in that room is there for a reason. They have the ability to do it, and they have shown flashes.”

Franklin knows the ability is there. He had a hand in recruiting all of them to State College. But he also knows there’s a difference between showing flashes and providing Allar, an expected first-year starter, with separation, sure hands and game-breaking ability after the catch on a reliable basis.

Of course, there’s more to Penn State’s offense than just the receivers. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen form one of the best running back tandems in the FBS. Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren are weapons at tight end. The offensive line, led by Olu Fashanu, can be a force. And Allar is a five-star phenom for a reason.

But Franklin, sitting in the Beaver Stadium media room 173 days from the opener, understands that the receiver room’s development over the coming months is integral to Penn State unlocking Allar and getting the most out of this offense in 2023.

If Hagans get that done — if Lambert-Smith, Wallace and McClain progress this spring and Cephas is as advertised — the Nittany Lions could be back in Pasadena next January for a CFP semifinal.

“The potential is there,” Franklin said of the receivers. “We’ve got to go earn it.”