Penn State wideouts to watch in the fall, dual-sport star Lonnie White Jr.’s decision, more subscriber mailbag - PennLive

Penn State’s wideout position is going to be the focus of this week’s PennLive Penn State text subscriber mailbag.

The Nittany Lions return a pair of talented receivers in Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington. But if a third Penn State receiver can step up to provide the offense with another option in the passing game, the Lions will be a very dangerous team in the fall.

I asked our subscribers to give me some Penn State wideouts to watch, and I also asked them their thoughts about Lions 2021 signee Lonnie White Jr., a big receiver who was recently drafted No. 64 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What will White do? Which sport will he pick? Will he play both in college?

Here are some of the top questions and comments from our group.

Some questions and comments have been edited for clarity and before we get to them, remember that if you want to be a part of our weekly SubText mailbag and submit a question, in addition to getting other Penn State updates sent directly to your phone, our PennLive Sports Insider page has more details.

Any chance Lonnie White goes the Drew Henson route and plays college football while spending his summers in the minors? Not a bad way to buy some time if the Pirates are willing to tolerate it. WR to watch this year -- I think KeAndre Lambert-Smith flashed some ability last year. With a year to bulk up, I look for him to become the 3rd option.

I think it will be fascinating to watch what happens with White, a big-play talent at the receiver position who also happens to be an elite baseball player. There should be some news on White’s 2021 decision fairly soon. For those young fans who don’t remember Henson, he was a Michigan quarterback and another hyped baseball prospect. Henson never lived up to the hype in either sport but every situation is different. Lambert-Smith is a logical pick to step up at the receiver position for the Lions. He impressed James Franklin and his coaches as a first-year player in 2020. No touchdowns or big plays for Lambert-Smith a year ago, but he is a skilled player capable of taking a major step forward.

Hey, Bob! With a complete spring practice cycle, what should be a normal August preseason camp, and having had an impact freshman year, I have to think Parker Washington is due for a big season. Most eyes will be on Jahan Dotson so Parker will get a lot of the second-best (and mediocre) corners in single coverage. Lots of YAC!

You know we’re getting very close to the start of Penn State season when you get a YAC (yards after catch) reference. Washington was one of the biggest surprises on the Lions a year ago. He was a playmaker from Week 1, catching a touchdown pass at Indiana. Washington is clearly a receiver to watch but after his 36-catch (nine games) season, opposing defenses know what he can do and may deploy more defenders in his area. Penn State is going to have to develop a third receiver who can make plays down the field.

Penn State recruit Lonnie White Jr. visits with head coach James Franklin before the Indiana on Nov. 16, 2019. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Hey Bob, if I had the choice, I would play minor-league ball AND football if possible to kick the decision a few years down the road due to no guarantees. It might be more difficult than back in the day with offseason programs. KeAndre Lambert-Smith is one to watch. If he does not shine this year, the talent coming in might overtake him. Do you think he has a breakout game in him?

It figures that Lambert-Smith could be a popular pick by Penn State fans. He’s young, he has size and his 2020 experience should help him. One player who may be overlooked this season is Daniel George. He’s had plenty of opportunities with the Lions but George has yet to click. George is big and he can run.

Kyler Murray surprised everyone when he chose pro football because he followed his heart. If Lonnie White Jr. enrolls, then he is the wide receiver that I pick.

Murray, a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback with the Oklahoma Sooners, was also a first-round pick of the Oakland A’s.

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