A cloud of drama this week has overshadowed an otherwise quiet spring practice period for Penn State football. On Friday afternoon, reports surfaced that wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith was away from the program and was “strongly considering” a move to the transfer portal. The Nittany Lions’ top pass catcher from a year ago has since taken to social media to comment on the rumors as the clock ticks closer to kick off of the Blue-White Game Saturday afternoon.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith comments amid transfer portal rumors
There’s been a waiting game going on around Happy Valley all week. Speculation first cropped up Tuesday when KeAndre Lambert-Smith was not seen during the open practice period made available to the media. It’s not uncommon for players to be held out of these sessions for a variety of reasons, benign or otherwise, but the suspicion throughout the week was that the absence was something more.
Those suspicions were seemingly confirmed Friday afternoon when Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported that KeAndre Lambert-Smith has been away from the Penn State football program this week and is “strongly considering” entering the transfer portal. Those reports have since been confirmed by multiple other outlets.
Lambert-Smith has spoken out on the rumors in the hours since the reports first emerged. Taking to Instagram Friday evening, the Nittany Lion wide out posted a screenshot of Zenitz’s original report with the comment, “I see it all. Stand on it [laugh out loud].”
Penn State wide receiver still listed on Blue-White Game roster
Meanwhile, there’s still football to be played. Penn State football released its official rosters for the Blue-White Game Friday evening, which still included KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
The Virginia native would be slated to start on the White team with quarterback Drew Allar, along with wide receivers Liam Clifford, Kaden Saunders, and Trey Wallace, among others. Incoming transfer portal wide receiver Julian Fleming is one of 11 receivers set to start on the Blue team for Saturday’s scrimmage.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith led all Penn State wide receivers with 673 yards and four scores in 2023, but his production dropped in the second half of the season, recording two receptions over the Nittany Lions’ final three games. After speculation that he would enter the transfer portal following the Peach Bowl, the senior returned to Penn State football for the spring.
Lambert-Smith is not a graduate transfer, meaning he would have to wait until the portal window opens on Monday to officially enter, if such a decision is made.
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