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WIDE RECEIVER
(Third in a series of Penn State position previews.)
Returning starter: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (24 catches, 389 yards, four touchdowns) is the apparent No. 1. He flashed in the Rose Bowl with an 88-yard TD and is a deep-play threat.
Key losses: Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley (51-577) was the team's top receiver and a good plug-and-play guy. Parker Washington had 146 career catches, including 46 last year before a season-ending injury. Was man (11-179) vs. Ohio State. He pulled a surprise by passing up another year but he went to Jacksonville in the sixth round.
Keep an eye on: Dante Cephas, a transfer from Kent State who was a first-team MAC selection. The Penn Hills product made 82 catches in 2021 and 48 last year. He could be this year's Tinsley. Other candidates are Harrison Wallace III, Omari Evans, Florida State transfer Malik McClain and Liam Clifford, Sean's brother.
Statistically speaking: The Lions must replace 129 catches from last year.
Franklin: "Wide receiver is a position where I wouldn't necessarily say we have a two-deep or three-deep that's defined yet. There's probably eight to nine guys that are showing flashes that they could be the starter for us, but it comes down to consistency at every position and that's magnified at that spot."
What to expect: One of the top needs Franklin has expressed throughout the offseason was for a No. 3 receiver. Truth is, the Lions will need to quickly identify No. 1 and No. 2 targets, too. Cephas' transition will be interesting. While breaking in a new quarterback, don't be surprised if the emphasis early is on getting the ball out fast and thus targeting the tight ends and running backs with safer routes.
SATURDAY: Defensive line
-- Neil Rudel