There are no guarantees when it comes transfers, but Penn State has developed some good ones during the last few seasons.

Wide receiver was a problem position for the Nittany Lions in 2023 and 2024.

But James Franklin found a solid wideout in Mitchell Tinsley prior to the 2022 season. The transfer from Western Kentucky, coming off a 1,400-yard campaign with the Hilltoppers, caught 51 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns. He tied tight end Brenton Strange for the team in scoring receptions.

No, Tinsley wasn’t a 1,000-yard receiver, but he proved to be a solid option in the passing game for a team that won 11 games and beat Utah in the Rose Bowl.

Penn State may have found another “solid” wideout in the transfer portal. Actually, Devonte Ross’ speed may present Penn State’s 2025 offense with an extra dimension.

Ross, who played at Troy last season, caught 76 passes for 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. He had four 100-yard games, but it was Ross’ all-around effort in Troy’s 38-21 loss to Iowa in Iowa City last September that attracted the attention of Franklin.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Ross accounted for all three of his team’s touchdowns vs. the Hawkeyes, catching scoring passes of 63 and 62 yards and returning a punt 77 yards for a TD.

“You know, in some ways I would say recruiting guys like Ross out of Troy and schools like that, a lot of times those are exciting because, no knock on any other school or place, but we just have a little bit more resources,” Franklin said when asked about Ross earlier this week.

“So, those guys have a chance to develop a little bit more than when you go get a guy from a similar type program. So, it’s been interesting to watch those guys grow.”

Ross scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter against Iowa’s defense and special teams, and added a final score late in the third quarter.

“I will tell you one of the things that really jumped out at us is, I have a ton of respect for the University of Iowa’s football program and what Coach Ferentz has been able to do there, specifically on defense and special teams,” Franklin said.

“And that young man (Ross), I think Troy was beating Iowa at the half at Iowa, which we know that’s a tough place to play. In that game, I think he had two touchdowns on offense and one as a punt return on special teams.

“So, for him to do it against that type of opponent on this stage gave you a lot of confidence that that could translate to us.”