It has been difficult to know what the Penn State football team has to work with at wide receiver in 2024. While it may concern some Nittany Lion fans that KeAndre Lambert-Smith has left the program and transferred to Auburn, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has confidence in his receiving core headed into this fall. Allar has been impressed with Liam Clifford and Kaden Saunders after the Blue-White game.
Drew Allar calls this Penn State WR “Mr. Dependble” in recent interview
The excitement for the 2024 season is driven by how successful the downfield passing game can be for the Nittany Lions. Drew Allar and his teammates will be under a microscope this fall. Last season, the passing game failed to consistently create separation and connect on deep passes. Now, with Andy Kotelnicki calling the plays, many Penn State fans are optimistic that will change. Drew Allar recently spoke with State Media to discuss the current state of the wide receiver room.
Allar said, “I think the receivers have taken a huge step forward this year specifically Trey [Wallace] and Liam [Clifford]. Liam is Mr. Dependable out there. He’s a super smart receiver. Kaden Saunders has also taken a really big step this spring. Julian Fleming is going to be super dependable as well. He’s a very physical and tough receiver.”
Can Liam Clifford grow his role?
Interestingly, Drew Allar singled out Liam Clifford. He was in and out of the rotation last season, but he did come up with some memorable catches. Specifically his 33-yard reception against Illinois before halftime. Clifford finished the 2023 season with 13 catches for 130 yards.
It seems that Julian Fleming and Harrison Wallace will be staples in the passing game this fall. But if Kaden Saunders and Liam Clifford can put together a consistent fall camp one of them could be on the field full-time in 2024.
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