Penn State Class of 2012: Wide Receivers Offer Youthful Depth

Penn State has signed 19 players to their Class of 2012, including one player who was already enrolled on campus. Of those players signed, nine will fill some spots on the offense, including four new wide receivers and a pair of tight ends.

Here is a look at Penn State’s new crop of wide receivers and tight ends, and how they might fit in to the future of the offense.

Wide Receivers

Eugene Lewis (pictured, right)

• Plymouth, PA
• Wyoming Valley West
• 6′-2″ 185 pounds

Malik Golden

• Cheshire, CT
• Cheshire Academy
• 6′-3″185 pounds

Trevor Williams

• Towson, MD
• Calvert Hall
• 6’2″ 190 pounds

Jonathan Warner

• Camas, WA
• Camas
• 6′-1″ 200 pounds

Penn State made the wide receiver position a top priority on offense this recruiting season, and they will add four players expected to field the position. Eugene Lewis looks to be the top player not only in the wide receiver haul, but also in the entire Class of 2012 for Penn State. The four-star product was a first-team All-State Class AAAA selection by the Patriot News last season and will represent Pennsylvania in the Big 33 game this summer in Hershey. He played quarterback in his senior season, so with a little creativity he could be used in the wildcat offense that Penn State employed late in the 2011 season, if Bill O’Brien chooses to mix it in with his scheme.

Penn State also ensures some depth with the wide receivers signed because there are just four players on scholarship with freshman or sophomore eligibility slated for 2012. They also have some versatility with Malik Golden, a two-way player if needed. Penn State also welcomes Jonathan Warner, son of legendary Penn State running back Curt Warner, to continue the family theme in the program.

Penn State only has two players with senior eligibility at the position (Justin Brown, Devon Smith) but four players with junior eligibility so the need to replenish the position now was key. Expect players like Lewis to be competing for significant playing time as early as 2013.

Wide Receivers On Scholarship

Senior Eligibility (2): Justin Brown, Devon Smith

Junior Eligibility (4): Curtis Drake, Christian Kuntz, Shawney Kersey, Brandon Moseby-Felder

Sophomore Eligibility (3): Bill Belton, Alex Kenney, Allen Robinson

Redshirt Freshmen (1): Matt Zanellato

Class of 2012 (4): Malik Golden, Eugene Lewis, Jonathan Warner, Trevor Williams

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