Penn State Looks for KeAndre Lambert-Smith to Become a No. 1

Penn State's KeAndre Lambert-Smith punctuated last season with an epic catch and celebration in the Rose Bowl, both of which should have provided a cannon shot into this season. So far, the receiver is moving in the right direction.

Head coach James Franklin pointed to Lambert-Smith as one of the team's offseason stars so far, as the Lions enter Week 2 of spring drills. Further, Franklin delivered some public prodding for Lambert-Smith to assert himself in the team's receivers room.

"We need him to be the guy, like a true No. 1, not just at Penn State but really in the conference," Franklin told reporters after practice Tuesday in State College. "And a guy people are talking about nationally."

Having lost its top two receivers, and with a new position coach in Marques Hagans, Penn State is undergoing change at the position. The Lions didn't have a true No. 1 receiver last season, as Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley shared the top production, with Lambert-Smith working his way into the No. 3 spot (24 catches, 389 yards, four touchdowns).

Then Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich called Lambert-Smith's number in the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl. The play was a situational coverage-beater, and Lambert-Smith capitalized, scoring on an 88-yard reception to produce the longest touchdown pass in Rose Bowl history.

Lambert-Smith celebrated by faking a hamstring injury, which Franklin didn't think was funny. "I wanted to kill him," Franklin said after the game. But the coach also praised Lambert-Smith's career arc that he hoped would continue rising.

"I think KeAndre is a great story," Franklin said after the game. "I think all these players, they come to Penn State and they kind of have in their mind this vision of how it's going to go, and it very rarely goes that way. And KeAndre has just trusted the process and persevered. He's extremely talented. I think he has such a bright future."

Franklin and Hagans are looking for receivers to assert themselves this spring. In addition to Lambert-Smith, the head coach noted that Harrison Wallace III is on an early track to assume the No. 2 role. After them, Franklin wants to see more.

"One of the big question marks between now and the first game is, who will be the third guy?" Franklin said. "Who will separate from the pack and be a true No. 3, or are we going to rotate?"

Noteworthy

Quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula "have been really impressive" through the first week of practice, Franklin said. The coach also highlighted the early work of true freshman Jaxon Smolik.

"Jaxon is doing some really good things," Franklin said. "He’s still got work to do, but we’ll be pleased with him by the time training camp comes if he continues to invest and prepare the way he is."

New defensive line coach Deion Barnes didn't get much runway to his first day as a full-time coach. Franklin hired Barnes on March 13, one day before the Lions began spring practice. But Barnes is catching up quickly.

"There's a difference between being a complimentary guy in the room to it being your room," Franklin said. "... Even Deion thinks he’s going to be the same Deion, but he’s not going to be the same Deion. It’s a different role, different responsibilities, and there's different pressures associated with it. But he's been good."

Penn State scrimmaged last weekend and will hold a second soon. The team can conduct 15 spring practices, culminating with the Blue-White Game on April 15 at Beaver Stadium.