2021 Spring Position Preview: Wide Receivers

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third of our annual position preview series. Be sure to check back over the next couple of weeks as we preview the rest of the positions in the lead-up to the 2021 season. Yesterday, Chris previewed the running backs.

The Departures: John Dunmore, TJ Jones, Isaac Lutz

Dunmore transferred to Florida Atlantic, while Jones has not found a new home at this time.

The Additions: Liam Clifford, Harrison Wallace, Lonnie White, Jr.

Not only did the Nittany Lions bring in three solid pass-catchers, but the freshmen from last year, Jaden Dottin, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Malick Meiga, and Parker Washington III, all retain four seasons of eligibility. It is an embarrassment of riches to say the least. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least two of the first-year Nittany Lions redshirt in 2021 simply due to the depth at this position.

The Starters: Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington

The Backups: KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Cam Sullivan-Brown

Overall Outlook:

This group is stacked with talent, from the clear alpha of the group Jahan Dotson, to guys right behind him like Washington, Lambert-Smith, and Cam Sullivan-Brown. We also can’t forget about deep threat Daniel George, or the likes of JC transfer Norval Black, Dottin, Meiga, and the three first-year Nittany Lions. The only question I have is will Dotson get enough targets to be a Biletnikoff Award candidate, or will receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield and new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich rotate all of the players to spread out touches? Personally, I think there is the potential here for at least two Nittany Lion receivers to end up with over 1,000 yards, the chief contenders being Dotson and Washington. This takes me back to the Butler, Norwood, and Williams days (pre and post-Morelli, of course).