Transfer wide receiver thriving with Nittany Lions, says Penn State football strength coach

Penn State football turned to the transfer portal this winter, adding wide receiver Devonte Ross to the 2025 roster. Despite being one of the most dynamic playmakers in the FBS last season, Ross faced a significant adjustment elevating in competition from Group of Five program Troy to the Nittany Lions.

But two months in, Ross has embraced the challenge of power conference football. Providing his annual winter workout updates this week, Penn State football strength coach Chuck Losey explained why the former Trojan is excelling with the Nittany Lions.

“I was surprised at how strong and powerful he is for his size,” Losey said. “I think he got here, and he weighed in at like 161 [pounds], which is really light. He’s not a large-frame guy.

“But he’s thrived in the sense that he’s taken advantage of all the resources that we offer as opposed to a place like his previous school. And that’s not a knock on them at all. I’ve coached at schools like that before. But the resources just aren’t available at that level.”

Ross looks to boost the Penn State passing attack

© Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Ross finished his junior year with 76 receptions for 1,043 yards. His 11 touchdowns were among the top five in the country at the end of the regular season. The only player in the Sun Belt to make the all-conference squad at three positions, Ross has added over 600 yards as a kick and punt returner in 2023 and 2024.

“Nutrition, recovery, the staff – he’s embraced it all, and he’s applied it all,” Losey continued. “And it’s really helped him put on the mass that he’s put on without compromising the speed. He’s already a very good to elite mover on film. We knew what we were bringing in, but we need a little more robust body for him to put up for the duration of the season.”

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The Troy transfer joins another Trojan, USC’s Kyron Hudson, as the portal additions to the Nittany Lions receiver room this offseason. Penn State football returns only three receivers who recorded receptions in 2024, making up less than 10% of the program’s total passing production last year.

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