The 2023 Penn State season is still a while away, but the offense will be something to watch. In the meantime, which particular player to watch needs to be discussed. The team already knows they have great running backs, potentially the best in the Big Ten. There are also high hopes for their incoming quarterback. There is still another player to watch on the 2023 Penn State football team and that is KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Here is a look as to why the wide receiver will be a player to watch.
2023 Penn State Player to Watch
Lambert-Smith has been with the Penn State Nittany Lions for three years, not playing much in 2020, which was his freshman year. The wide receiver has been a solid player for the Nittany Lions but has always been overshadowed by others. This coming year, he is the expected top receiver, making him one of the players to watch for the 2023 Penn State season.
Penn State wr KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1) – Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
KeAndre Lambert-Smith First Three Years
In his first season, in 2020, Lambert-Smith only had 15 receptions, but it was for 138 yards, according to ESPN. In 2020, the Nittany Lions had Jahan Dotson, Parker Washington, and Pat Freiermuth on the team. This pushed Lambert-Smith down the depth chart pretty low but still put up decent yards for only 15 receptions.
In 2021, Dotson and Washington were still on the team and the top two receivers, but Lambert-Smith had many more receptions than the year before. In that season, the wide receiver had 34 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns. This is still not great, but for being the third receiver, and having to play with multiple quarterbacks, that is not bad.
Although the Lambert-Smith will be a 2023 Penn State player to watch, 2022 did give a sneak peek at what is to come. In 2022, Lambert-Smith was still the third receiver due to Mitchell Tinsley transferring in and having a great season. In 2022, Lambert-Smith had 24 receptions for 389 yards and four touchdowns. His longest reception was for 88 yards and it was a big one. He also had two pass attempts, completing both, one of which was for a touchdown.
Penn State Head Coach James Franklin speaks to Jahan Dotson (5), KeAndre Lambert-Smith (13), and Parker Washington (3) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Why 2023 Penn State Player to Watch
Each year there have been wide receivers that beat out Lambert-Smith as the top player. Washington and Dotson were there before him, and Tinsley came in strong from Temple in 2022. This year, there will be other young players fighting for the spot behind Lambert-Smith. There is also a new wide receivers coach that can be a difference-maker.
The top spot will not be handed to the wide receiver, of course. Everyone has to work for it, but Lambert-Smith has demonstrated that he can be a big aspect of the 2023 Penn State offense. Penn State participated in the Rose Bowl in 2022, and Lambert-Smith demonstrated why he will be the one to beat in 2023. He only had three receptions but for 124 yards and one touchdown, according to ESPN. This was the game he had an 88-yard reception as well. The way that Lambert-Smith ended the seasons demonstrates what is to come in 2023.
The 2023 Penn State offense will also have a new wide receivers coach. Many speculated if the former wide receivers coach struggled at retaining players, and why some headed to the draft earlier than expected. Following the 2022 season, the team announced that Marques Hagans will be the new wide receivers coach for the Nittany Lions. This can change the way Lambert-Smith’s season goes. This could be just what the wide receiver needed in order to become Penn State’s top player next year.
The 2023 Penn State season will kick off against West Virginia on September 2nd. The team will have a new starting quarterback, but while it may take time to adjust, there are high hopes for this offense. The player on the offense for fans to watch for will be KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who will be entering his fourth year with the team.
