Penn State Coaches Look to Make Immediate Impact
There is no secret to the weapon that Penn State wide receiver and return man KJ Hamler is. The sophomore speedster will be a massive key to the success of Penn State on offense and special teams.
Hamler had a sensational freshman campaign at receiver, being responsible for many big plays, but at the same time, he was inconsistent. As a kick returner, Hamler averaged a strong 26.2 yards/return, but surprisingly didn’t find the end zone. Hamler could make or break Penn States receiving corps and is going to be an mammoth part of special teams. How he and the rest of the units fair under new receivers coach Gerard Parker and new special teams coordinator Joe Lorig will be huge.
Parker arrives to Penn State by way of Duke where he played a role in transforming the Blue Devils into a formidable offense. His mission at Penn State is to groom a young group of receivers while correcting mistakes by the receiving corps which cost the Nittany Lions games last season.
Penn State receivers dropped 25 catchable passes a year ago which was 15th in the nation. It is hard to compete for a National Title with a stat like that over your head. A receiver in his own playing days, Parker understands the position and can relay his experience to the young group.
With first-time starter Sean Clifford under center, it’s important the receivers do everything they can to help.
Hamler, Jahan Dotson, and Justin Shorter will all be expected to make big leaps under Parker. There are unknowns in the group, but he will look to sure them up immediately. While Parker has a challenge ahead of him, the new man in charge of special teams does as well.
Joe Lorig enters after Penn State lost the Citrus Bowl basically because of special teams. They swung and missed on a fake punt, missed two field goals and allowed a punt return for a touchdown.
Lorig has the pieces though, to make immediate improvements. The aforementioned Hamler will be electric returning kickoffs and punts once again, but a better blocking scheme should allow him to take some to the house.
Penn State boasts one of the best punters in the country in Blake Gillikin, and a bevy of talented young players to make plays on coverage teams.
Virginia Tech transfer Jordan Stout has shown off his big leg on kickoffs during camp, and there’s a chance he will take field goal kicking responsibilities from Jake Pinegar who made a subpar 16 of 24 last year.
James Franklin moved quickly to correct what were two sore thumbs in his program in 2018. How those changes pan out could determine the success of this year.
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