Penn State football facing ‘nightmare scenario’ in transfer portal, says national sportswriter

It’s only two days into the spring transfer portal window, but James Franklin and Penn State football may already be witnessing their worst fears unfolding right in front of them. At least, that’s according to one national sportswriter. Detailing the potential “nightmare scenarios” for the spring transfer portal window, CBS Sports analyst Will Backus says that the loss of Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith could have widespread implications on the 2024 season for the Blue and White.

Loss of KeAndre Lambert-Smith is ‘nightmare scenario’ for James Franklin, Nittany Lions says national sportswriter

It wasn’t necessarily a surprise when KeAndre Lambert-Smith announced his plans to enter the transfer portal this week. The senior Nittany Lion receiver had left the Penn State football program in the final week of spring practice, forgoing the Blue-White Game on Saturday.

Lambert-Smith’s production dropped considerably in the second half of 2023, recording only two receptions in Penn State’s final three games, including a stretch of 109 offensive snaps without a catch. Still, he was the Nittany Lions’ leading receiver last fall, and has over 1,700 yards in his career. Losing such a large chunk of its offense from a year ago has Penn State football facing a “nightmare scenario,” heading into 2024, says CBS Sports national analyst Will Backus.

“Penn State has its eyes set on a College Football Playoff run, and the pieces are certainly there across the roster, but the Nittany Lions were dangerously thin at wide receiver — and that was before Lambert-Smith decided to move on,” writes Backus. Whereas Backus’ scenarios for other teams are hypothetical, this portal prediction has come true.

Where will Penn State turn?

Without KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State football only has one wide receiver with more than 600 yards in their career. Up until four months ago, that receiver was an Ohio State Buckeye. Julian Fleming has quickly acclimated himself to the Nittany Lions program. Now, he heads into the summer as the de facto leader of a room that is largely unproven.

“Penn State did turn to the portal to add ex-Ohio State wideout Julian Fleming as a solid option for young quarterback Drew Allar,” Backus writes of the ex-Buckeye, who had one catch for five yards in the Blue-White Game. “Given his experience and reliability, Fleming already looks like the go-to in Penn State’s offense. Though he has an injury history that gives rise to some concern down the line, Fleming is quite literally the only wideout on Penn State’s roster that has made a meaningful impact at the collegiate level.”

Penn State will also hope to turn to Trey Wallace, who likewise has battled injuries. Wallace led all receivers in the spring game with 5 receptions for 72 yards. “He’s been one of our guys that we viewed as the starter now for a while,” James Franklin said of the redshirt junior in March. “And like I already mentioned, losing him last year, that was a significant blow.”

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

KeAndre Lambert-Smith technically made his portal declaration before the spring window opened Tuesday, announcing his intentions to enter as a graduate transfer on Monday. The former Nittany Lion has been contacted by several schools, including Georgia, Auburn, Colorado, and, perhaps most notably for Penn State football, West Virginia.

The transfer portal has also come for a second Nittany Lion wide receiver, Malick Meiga. Primarily a special teams contributor during his time in Happy Valley, Meiga had nine catches for 106 yards and a touchdown in his Penn State football career.