Penn State's Marques Hagans on Devonte Ross: 'He’s dynamic'

Penn State’s three prominent transfer wide receivers were involved in the Lions’ season-opening win over Nevada at Beaver Stadium.

Trebor Pena and Kyron Hudson were major factors, combining to catch 13 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown.

Pena also added a 13-yard rush and returned two punts for a total of 10 yards. Ross had the score, a 31-yard pass from Drew Allar just before halftime.

The third transfer, former Troy 1,000-yard receiver Devonte Ross, should have better days ahead after catching one pass for 4 yards versus the Wolf Pack.

PSU wideouts coach Marques Hagans, asked about Ross’ recent development after being limited at times over the summer, said Thursday the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder kept up with the demands of being ready to play, even when he wasn’t physically 100 percent.

“(Ross) was able to stay connected to practice and participate in the capacity that he was able to,” Hagans said.

“Lot of mental reps, lot of things that could have passed him by didn’t. We met more, you know, watching film and making sure he was on top of his assignments. Now he’s going to hit the ground running.”

Ross caught 76 passes for 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, adding a punt return score at Iowa.

Hagans said Ross’ early adjustment — coming from Troy to Penn State — was no different than the adjustments Hudson and Pena made coming from USC and Syracuse, respectively.

“I think he’s very smart, (Ross has) picked up the offense since Day 1,” Hagans said. “We move all the guys around in different positions. I think sometimes there probably can be a knock coming from a lower level, maybe less resources, per se, however you want to view it. But as far as football IQ, there’s been no question since Day 1. He’s come in, he’s learned it, and just at a high level, as those guys have.

“If you didn’t have labels on them from what school they came from, you wouldn’t know the difference with all three of them. They’re all very smart, they’ve all picked it up, they love football.”

And when the time comes for Ross to get more opportunities in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense?

“Devonte’s just one of those guys that, you look at him in stature and you’re like, ‘he’s small,’ ” Hagans said.

“But he’s another one who’s tough. He competes. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands.”