STATE COLLEGE – Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Pena, who caught nine touchdown passes last season, announced Saturday that he was transferring to Penn State.
Pena’s announcement, which came a few hours before the annual Blue-White Game at Beaver Stadium, gives the Nittany Lions a boost at a position where they’ve struggled the last two seasons.
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The 6-0, 184-pound Pena caught 84 passes for 941 yards last season and was named to the All-Atlantic Conference second team. A fifth-year senior, he had 109 receptions for 1,212 yards and 10 TDs in his career for the Orange.
“I prefer to stay away from that at this stage,” Penn State coach James Franklin said when asked about Pena’s announcement.
Since the end of last season, the Lions have added Pena, Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy) via the transfer portal. Hudson and Ross started with the first-team offense in the Blue-White Game.
“I was pleased with what we did this spring in the passing game,” Franklin said. “I was pleased with the wide receivers, not only the ones that have been on our roster. Hudson and Ross both have very bright futures.
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“We’re trying to create as much competition at every position as we possibly can.”
Help at linebacker: Penn State apparently will look for a linebacker in the transfer portal to add depth to a thin position.
Veterans Tony Rojas and DaKaari Nelson missed most or all of spring practice with injuries. Ta’Mere Robinson left the team and announced he would transfer to USC.
“I think we’re in good shape,” Franklin said, “but there are some concerns as well because we lost someone (Robinson) we did not anticipate losing. As you all know, we aren’t a big portal team, but we’re going to address some issues.
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“If there is a linebacker out there that wants to be a part of our program, there’s an opportunity to join the room.”
Kobe King, Penn State’s starting middle linebacker the last two seasons, was drafted Saturday by the Minnesota Vikings. Dominic DeLuca and Rojas are the returning starters.
Spring awards: Safety Zakee Wheatley and offensive linemen Cooper Cousins and TJ Shanahan won Penn State’s top spring awards.
Wheatley received the Jim O’Hora Award, which goes to an outstanding defensive player.
Cousins and Shanahan shared the Red Worrell Award, which goes to an outstanding offensive player.
DeLuca, quarterback Drew Allar and defensive tackle Zane Durant won the Frank Patrick Total Commitment Awards.
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Tight end Khalil Dinkins, wide receiver Lyrick Samuel and running back Quinton Martin Jr. were the Touchdown King winners. Defensive tackle Owen Wafle and safety Antoine Belgrave-Shroter were the Takeaway King winners.
Kicker Gabe Nwosu took the Coaches Special Teams Award.
