James Franklin: Penn State football WR Omari Evans’ career could ‘take off’ in 2024

The Penn State football team is searching for other wide receivers to improve their game. The Nittany Lions have proven talent in Harrison Wallace and Julian Fleming. James Franklin has alluded to Liam Clifford emerging as well. But following practice on Wednesday night, Franklin made sure to call out Omari Evans and the year he is set to have this fall.

Omari Evans was a member of the 2022 recruiting class. He made some splash plays during his true freshman season, but last year he took a step back in terms of time on the field. But that could all change with a breakout season in 2024. Something James Franklin believes is in the cards for the speedy wide receiver.

“Omari [Evans] has had a great training camp,” Franklin said early in his availability. “Omari’s the guy I think everybody’s excited for to come out and play well early and gain confidence. Then, literally he’s one of those guys where his career could just take off. You talk about speed, size, intelligence like he’s got all of the things that you’re looking for.

“We go out and recruit him every single year and I think when he first got here is was a really good athlete and maybe a little bit of a track guy who’s really growing into football. Understanding what it takes at this level. But he’s a guy I think there’s a lot of excitement within the program, that he’s ready…”

Liam Clifford also had a strong camp

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Omari Evans is the second wide receiver which James Franklin called out to praise this week. On Monday, during his media availability, Franklin made sure to call our Liam Clifford.

“Liam, and I know you guys hate when I answer things this way, but it’s really not one specific area, it’s just overall. He’s more confident, more comfortable. He’s much more consistent, which is what it’s all about for all these guys at this level. I look at his college career in a lot of ways like his high school career. Just kept getting better every single year. Really had a dominant senior year. Had a really good junior year. And I think his college career is going about the same way.”

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