Transfer Portal: Penn State Signs 2 Receivers

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Joe Smeltzer | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 6:20 PM ET

Penn State has officially signed its two wide receiver commits from the transfer portal.

On Thursday afternoon, roughly a half hour apart, the team announced that receiver commits Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy) are officially signed.

The additions were much needed.

Penn State’s receivers have struggled to make noise over the past two seasons. Fans have been frustrated with the group, and the height of this frustration came in the aftermath of the team’s Orange Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame Jan. 9.

Penn State Drops Orange Bowl to Notre Dame in Heartbreaking Fashion

During that game, no Penn State receiver caught a pass.

Hudson and Ross are looking to help change that.

WHAT HUDSON BRINGS

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: USC Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) reacts after catching a pass for a first down during a college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish played on November 30, 2024 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

So what does Kyron Hudson bring to the table for Penn State out of the transfer portal? Well, Hudson, a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, is coming off his best college football season.

He ended the year with 462 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions, playing in a room that also featured Makai Lemon (665 yards, three touchdowns on 46 receptions) and Zachariah Branch (503 yards, one touchdown on 47 catches).

Against Penn State Oct. 12, Hudson caught for passes for 36 yards, one of them being a five-yard TD.

Penn State ended up winning that game in the Coliseum 33-30 in an overtime thriller.

Now, he’ll be playing on the other side.

AND WHAT ABOUT ROSS?

IOWA CITY IA – SEPTEMBER 14: Iowa safety Deshaun (8) tackles Troy wide receiver Devonte Ross (7) out of bounds after a pass reception during a college football game between the Troy Trojans and the Iowa Hawkeyes, on September 14, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/IconSportswire)

What about Ross? He ended 2024 with 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns on 76 receptions. He has one season of eligibility remaining, and Penn State likes that he’s spending that season in Happy Valley. Ross has been getting playing time since his true freshman season of 2022, and has played 39 games during his college career. It’s hard to tell how Ross’ success would translate to the Big Ten but Penn State does indeed need receivers.

Penn State opens the 2025 season Aug. 30 against Nevada at Beaver Stadium.

This article first appeared on Nittany Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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