Since the NCAA Transfer Portal opened on Dec. 4, Penn State has been relatively quiet on commitments, securing only one from Division II offensive tackle Alan Herron, which isn’t their primary need. The team is keen on bolstering their receiver lineup, making multiple offers to transfer portal receivers and showing interest in others. While some targets have committed elsewhere, three notable receivers recently visited Penn State.
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Receivers are Penn State’s Focus
Penn State’s most pressing need is improving their receiver roster with immediate-impact players. Their first public offer went to North Texas wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin, who committed to Kentucky. Another target, Purdue’s Deion Burkes, chose Oklahoma.
Three significant visits to Penn State included Ohio State veteran and former No. 1 Pennsylvania recruit Julian Fleming, Indiana’s versatile Jaylin Lucas, and North Carolina’s Andre Greene Jr., once the No. 8 receiving prospect nationally. Fleming, who previously found it tough to turn down Penn State, is reconsidering his options and has visited both Penn State and Nebraska.
Fleming’s tenure at Ohio State saw him tally 990 receiving yards and seven touchdowns but never fully realize his potential due to competition. At Penn State, he could quickly become a key player and reset his career close to home, making the move beneficial for both sides.
Lucas, at 5-9 and 170 pounds, is a versatile player listed as a running back but capable of playing wide receiver and excelling as a return specialist. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki could effectively utilize Lucas’s skills with innovative tactics. Lucas holds an official offer from Penn State and other Power Five schools.
Additionally, coach James Franklin offered Indiana transfer receiver Donaven McCulley, who hasn’t visited yet. McCulley, a former high school quarterback with a 6-5 frame, showed promise late in the 2023 season with 644 receiving yards and six touchdowns, five in the last five games. Both Indiana players are intriguing, with former coach Tom Allen potentially joining Penn State’s defensive staff.
Greene, who visited Penn State last week, shared a positive social media post afterward. At 6-2 and 200 pounds, Greene redshirted his first season at North Carolina and had limited production in his second year. Penn State hopes to unlock his potential, and getting him on campus is a positive sign.
With limited public movement beyond receivers, all eyes are on Penn State’s efforts to strengthen this position. While the exact timeline for these recruitments is unclear, Penn State aims to add three receivers next week, including four-star recruits Josiah Brown and Tyseer Denmark, and three-star Peter Gonzalez, expected to sign their Letters of Intent on National Signing Day.
