Two Penn State Receivers Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

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The Penn State football team began spring practice with 15 scholarship receivers on the roster. That roster began to change after the Blue-White Game.

Two Penn State receivers entered the NCAA Transfer Portal when it opened after the annual spring game. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State’s most experienced returning player, and Malick Meiga will play their final seasons of eligibility elsewhere.

Neither was a significant surprise. Lambert-Smith, who started 37 games at Penn State, led the team with 53 receptions last season but saw his role change after offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired. Lambert-Smith caught just two passes in the last three games and was targeted only once in the Peach Bowl. He remained with the team during winter workouts and most of spring practice.

Meiga caught 10 passes in his four-year career with the Nittany Lions but was a significant contributor on special teams. In 2022, he won the program’s John Bruno Memorial Award as top special teams player.

Penn State still has 13 scholarship receivers, including newcomer Julian Fleming, who made a strong first impression after transferring from Ohio State. After the Blue-White Game, Penn State coach James Franklin said he maintained trust in the position group.

“I love our wide receivers,” Franklin said. “We have a bunch of guys in the room who have the chance to take the next step. I believe they’re going to take the next step. I think [receivers coach Marques Hagans] has done a really good job this spring. This summer is going to be really important. The positive thing is, in college football, you can improve in the passing game in the summer. We’re going to do those things. We believe in them.”