STATE COLLEGE – New Penn State wide receivers Trebor Pena, Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross can give Drew Allar the types of outside weapons that he’s never had.
More than that, though, they’ve been culture fits, checking their egos at the door, blending in with their new teammates and conducting themselves in a professional manner.
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“They’ve been fantastic teammates,” offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said Saturday during Penn State’s annual Media Day. “You can have dynamic issues with guys who immediately start acting selfish and who do selfish things. These guys haven’t at all.
“They’ve been nothing but a great part of our program. The dynamics are awesome because they’re awesome people. They work hard. They grind.”
Pena, Hudson and Ross have been a breath of fresh air after some receivers reportedly complained loudly about not getting enough passes thrown their way the last two years.
“They’re wired the right way,” quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien said. “These kids love ball. They’re all talented. They have their own strengths. We’re deeper there.”
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The addition of Pena, Hudson and Ross came after Penn State’s top two wide receivers from last season transferred, Harrison Wallace III to Mississippi and Omari Evans to Washington. They have the potential to be the best receiver group Allar has had since becoming a starter in 2023. They combined to make 23 touchdown catches last season at their respective schools.
“I really wanted to put myself in an uncomfortable position,” Pena said in his first public comments since he arrived at Penn State. “It’s my last year. I feel like I had to make the best decision for my future.
“I wanted to come to a team with a lot of returning players. They were in the playoffs last year. I felt like this was the best opportunity. I can help this team.”
Pena caught 84 passes for 941 yards and nine touchdowns last season at Syracuse and was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference second team.
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Hudson is a former four-star prospect from Los Angeles-area powerhouse Mater Dei. He played in every game the last three seasons at USC and made 38 catches for 462 yards and three TDs last season.
“Drew is an amazing QB,” Hudson said. “Just the love he has for the game and the type of person he is. It helps receivers like us to compete and do what we do best.”
Ross was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference pick last season at Troy, where he had 76 receptions for 1,043 yards and 11 TDs.
“Penn State has an amazing tradition,” Ross said, ”a great culture with a great coaching staff and even better players who are great teammates. People around here have high character.
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“It’s an opportunity to showcase my ability and to develop myself more. I’ll do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Penn State hasn’t had a wide receiver with more than 53 receptions, 720 yards or five TD catches since Jahan Dotson had a monstrous year in 2021. The position has especially been a problem the last two seasons.
Last year, Lions wide receivers had just eight catches in the three losses last year, none in the Orange Bowl defeat to Notre Dame.
Penn State is now better equipped there to advance past the College Football Playoff semifinals. They give the Lions weapons across the offense and can open room for running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
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“We need more playmaking at the wide receiver position for us to go where we want to go in critical moments in critical games,” Franklin said. “Most of our offense last year was built around (All-American tight end) Tyler Warren and the running game.
“If we continue to trend in the direction we’re headed, it will make us more difficult to defend.”
On top of what they bring to the field, Pena, Hudson and Ross are setting examples for young receivers like Tyseer Denmark and Koby Howard.
“They’ve been great,” Franklin said. “This hopefully closes the gap for a year to allow some young guys we’re excited about to continue to grow, mature and step up. We have more depth at wide receiver than we’ve had.”
