Can Penn State WR Kyron Hudson take another step forward?

Penn State vet Kyron Hudson is entering Year 5 in college. The Nittany Lions expect his final season to be his best one.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound wideout made 13 starts for USC the last two years, producing a combined 55 catches for 651 yards and five touchdowns.

Hudson caught a touchdown pass for the Trojans in their 33-30 overtime loss to Penn State last season in Los Angeles.

Hudson and fellow transfer wideouts Trebor Pena (Syracuse) and Devonte Ross (Troy) have been added to spice up the Lions’ passing game, especially when PSU tangles with Oregon, Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana in the fall.

Penn State’s James Franklin and Marques Hagans have been impressed with Hudson, who participated in Penn State’s spring practice sessions, during his brief time in State College.

“He’s just kinda like the cool uncle … (who) everybody goes to for advice and wants to be around,” Hagans, the Lions wideouts coach, said of Hudson.

“He does a really good job of not just living the standard but setting the standard.”

USC’s diversified 2024 offense produced five players with at least 38 catches. Hudson finished with 38 receptions for 462 yards and three touchdowns.

“Very mature, very consistent,” Franklin said of Hudson.

“Big, strong, physical, contested catch guy. You saw that on film, we’ve seen that all camp. He’s more sudden than I thought he was going to be, as a route-runner. Just a savvy vet.”

And what are Hagans’ expectations for Hudson?

“I think he’s just gotta make plays when his number’s called,” Hagans said. “And I think he will.”