Penn State wide receiver Chase Sowell caught 15 passes for 276 yards in his last two appearances, against Washington and Michigan, making him a hot topic among Penn State fans.

Sowell’s recent performances have garnered attention, but they also raise the question of who the last Penn State wide receiver to perform at this level was.

From big-play threats to reliable targets, the Nittany Lions have seen plenty of wide receiver talent over the years. Some of our staffers weighed in on who they think was Penn State’s best wide receiver before Sowell.

Michael Zeno: Jahan Dotson

While I think Koby Howard’s eventual return will remind us who the real alpha receiver is, what we’re seeing from Sowell is the most consistent production from any receiver since Sean Clifford was the quarterback. They get two certified dawgs right after Drew Allar leaves? Brutal.

I’ll take Sowell over Parker Washington, at least for his college career, and compare him to Jahan Dotson. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of Penn State receivers, and I haven’t seen a receiver catch absolutely everything the way he did until Sowell.

Robert Delorenzo: Koby Howard

Sowell is the best receiver since Howard. Without Howard getting hurt, I don’t think Sowell would’ve gotten the same opportunities he does now. Not to mention, Howard was playing at an All-Big Ten level before getting hurt.

Sowell has definitely been a big reason Penn State has gotten some wins, but those opportunities wouldn’t have come without Howard’s injury.

Zach Paulhamus: Jahan Dotson

Sowell is Penn State’s best wide receiver since Dotson. Sowell is making big plays, giving Penn State a legitimate receiving threat, and reminding fans what it feels like to have a No. 1 wide receiver before the Howard injury. We used to pray for times like this.

Tadhg Gorman: Koby Howard

The best wide receiver before Sowell was Howard. He averaged 28.7 yards per catch in the first three games and had 344 yards and two touchdowns. He was a monster in production, and the team felt his loss hard during the Wisconsin game.

Jason Perry: Jahan Dotson

It’s hard to say the player who just got to Penn State is better than the player who’s top five in single-season and career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns for the Nittany Lions. Sowell has already made his mark this season; hopefully, he can keep it going.

Ella Cofone: Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin was electric, and Penn State needs that again. Plenty of wide receivers have posted great stats, but keep in mind the energy and hype behind the plays, too.

Godwin takes the crown as the underdog in the rankings.

Collin Ward: Jahan Dotson

I think there’s an argument that Washington is the better answer, but I have to go with Dotson. Sowell is just so good. The way he flashed his hands at the last second on almost every catch reminds me of, dare I say it, Justin Jefferson.

While there is definitely some recency bias, I think Sowell is the better college player. I also just love that he’s the first one to protect his teammates. Sowell sticking up for Becht against Washington and then Carson Hanson later in the game was so cool to see.

I know some will say Howard is the better receiver, but can we really say that? Howard has had limited chances due to injury, and when he was playing, it was against Group of Five teams. I mean, he’s definitely good, but we also thought Penn State was playoff-bound against the teams Howard was playing.

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