During James Franklin’s 12 seasons as Penn State’s head coach, two wide receivers surpassed 1,000 yards in a season.
There was Chris Godwin (1,101) in 2015 and Jahan Dotson (1,182) in 2021.
That’s it.
Let’s not forget about what All-American Tyler Warren accomplished in 2024, catching 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns.
Warren, now with the Indianapolis Colts, is a tight end.
There was a time when Penn State’s offensive line was the main issue on that side of the ball. Now? It’s wideout production.
PSU’s receivers did not catch a pass in the team’s 2024 college playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame.
Last season, the Lions invested in three transfer veteran wide receivers — Trebor Pena (Syracuse), Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC).
They combined for just 1,341 yards.
New Penn State coach Matt Campbell’s recent Iowa State offenses have featured dangerous wide receiver rooms.
Throw out 2025 when veteran quarterback Rocco Becht was dealing with shoulder injuries that limited ISU’s pass offense during the second half of the season, and here is how some Cyclones wideouts have fared from 2021-24.
2024: Jaylin Noel (1,194 yards) and Jayden Higgins (1,183).
2023: Higgins (983 yards) and Noel (820).
2022: Xavier Hutchinson (1,171 yards).
2021: Hutchinson (987 yards).
At the start of spring drills, Campbell offered his thoughts on why his programs have typically produced quality receiver rooms.
“If you look all the way back to our days at Toledo, we’ve always had great receivers because we’ve always known what we’re looking for,” said Campbell, who coached 10 years at Iowa State four full seasons at Toledo (2012-15) plus one game in 2011.
“We know what the X (outside) receiver has to be able to do. We know what a slot receiver has to have the ability to do. We know what a Z receiver has got the ability to do. I think we always look for those traits in the recruiting process and then know can we develop that young man into what we’re looking for?
“I think, if you look at even the sizes and the shapes of our guys for the last 12 years, X receivers have looked like this, slot receivers have looked like this, Z receivers have looked like this, and they’ve had certain qualities,” Campbell continued.
“I think when you know what you’re looking for, it really helps the process be efficient.”
Four Iowa State wideouts have joined Campbell in State College — veterans Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell, along with redshirt freshmen Zay Robinson and Karon Brookins.
The Lions also added Grambling transfer Keith Jones Jr., and Penn State was able to retain sophomore Koby Howard.
Eskildsen and Sowell, who combined for 62 receptions, are coming off injuries, and Campbell said both likely will not receive live spring reps.
“You’ve got Chase (Sowell) and Brett (Eskildsen), who we brought over from Iowa State, who had really productive years,” Campbell said.
“I think as you watched their season progress last year, those guys really made some really huge gains within the football season, and I think they were poised for Year 2 within the system.
“Karon Brookins is a super talent,” Campbell continued. “We thought he was one of the really talented guys that was in our program at Iowa State a year ago. … Zay Robinson, a really talented young guy.
“Obviously Koby Howard, Koby got an opportunity to get in late in the season last year and did some really good things. We think really highly of him.
“I just think that whole room, in general, has got great ability.”