Penn State football might have solved its wide receiver problem, folks.

It’s no secret that the most glaring issue in Penn State’s offense in 2024 was its lack of a reliable wide receiver room. To put that into perspective, no Penn State wide receiver caught a pass in the Nittany Lions’ season-ending loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

The Nittany Lions’ leading receiver in 2024 was Harrison Wallace, who totaled 720 yards on 46 receptions. Tight end Tyler Warren snagged 1,233 yards on 104 receptions in comparison, and his production, combined with the running backs, kept Penn State’s offense afloat last season.

As Wallace and Omari Evans transferred away from the program, James Franklin was left with a receiving group in desperate need of new faces. Despite Franklin’s traditional state of mind regarding the transfer portal, the program dived in to revitalize the position.

So, when the Nittany Lions landed USC wideout Kyron Hudson, Troy standout Devonte Ross, and Syracuse reception leader Trebor Peña, Penn State’s wide receiving room that was once an afterthought immediately became the forefront of the program’s offense ahead of the 2025 season.

Through big adjustments in training camp and award watch list season, the anticipation of Penn State’s new-look receiving core in action zoomed forward as the Nittany Lions opened the season against Nevada.

And they delivered.

Hudson’s chemistry with Drew Allar was immediately apparent in the first half of Penn State’s season-opening win over Nevada. The pair connected on Penn State’s first offensive drive of the game with a quick dart near the sidelines for a 13-yard gain. They connected two more times on the opening drive and almost scored the opening touchdown before Nevada broke the pass up.

In the final minute of the first half, the college football world really got a glimpse at how special the connection between Hudson and Allar can be. Allar shifted in the pocket and unloaded a 31-yard pass to the side of the end zone, where Hudson reeled it in for his first score as a Nittany Lion.

“I think it’s just chemistry and trust,” Hudson said of he and Allar’s connection post-game. “Just a great quarterback like him, I just want to pick his ear and pick his brain and just see the things that he wants and try to be the best player I possibly could.”

Hudson credited Allar for ensuring that the duo studied film together and hung out outside of football to help foster a personal connection between the two in hopes of translating that on the field.

Franklin also commented on Hudson’s addition to the offense and performance against Nevada.

“Hudson looks very mature. He looks very poised,” Franklin said. “He almost came down with that ball that was left behind him in the end zone, should have been a touchdown to start the game. But he just looks mature and strong and confident.”

Hudson posted a final line of six receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown, leading the team in receiving yards in his debut.

On top of that, Peña also flashed his talent for the Beaver Stadium crowd and picked up right where he left off with Syracuse. He led Penn State in receptions with seven and tabbed 78 yards, showcasing his shiftiness in the open field with 40 yards after catch.

Peña appreciated the grandeur of Beaver Stadium and playing in front of so many fans, saying that the atmosphere and energy were a new experience for him. He also commended Hudson’s big plays early on in the game and how he and Allar spent a lot of time with all of the transfer wide receivers to ensure a smooth transition into the program.

“He’s done a great job embracing us, getting us ready to go. I came in late, Devonte [Ross] and Kyron [Hudson] came in January, so they had a little more time to learn,” Peña said.

Despite his later start with the program, Peña’s action on the field against Nevada sets Penn State up for a wild wide receiver ride in 2025. He and Hudson made an immediate impact on the squad, and their confidence, comfort, and desire to get better in Penn State’s offense will only grow from here.

“There were a lot of points left on the board; we could have executed a little bit better,” Peña said. “But for the first game, I feel like things were going right and we just got to clean some things up and we’ll be good.”

Peña and Franklin mentioned Penn State’s red zone trouble in the season opener as the Nittany Lions settled for four field goals in the matchup. As the offense continues to mesh and get to game speed with each other, the group has the chance to really set the college football world on fire.

While Ross didn’t have quite a stat sheet like his fellow transfer wideouts in Penn State’s season opener, he did get four yards on one reception.

Franklin said the coaching staff will continue to get Ross involved and that beating Nevada is the stepping stone to garnering massive improvements for the team going forward. If their performances against the Wolf Pack are a taste of what’s to come, receiving excellence just might be back for Penn State.