REPORT: Penn State football week 1 opponent making push for outgoing transfer wide receiver

Less than 48 hours after officially ending his time with Penn State football and entering the transfer portal, KeAndre Lambert-Smith has become the top wide receiver on the market. The ex-Nittany Lion has received interest from several of the nation’s top programs during the first day of the portal window. But according to reporting from Pete Nakos of On3, West Virginia—whom James Franklin and the Nittany Lions will face in the 2024 season opener—appears ready to make a run at the former Penn State pass catcher.

West Virginia ready to make a push for KeAndre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith quickly became one of the splashier names to hit the transfer portal when the spring window opened this week. On3 currently has Lambert-Smith as the top available wide receiver in the portal, and the former Nittany Lion is receiving interest as such.

Pete Nakos reported on Tuesday that KeAndre Lambert-Smith had already been contacted by Auburn, Georgia, Texas A&M, Colorado, and West Virginia, with Miami and USC showing some interest. However, Nakos believes West Virginia is primed to make a run at Penn State’s top pass catcher from 2023, describing the Mountaineers as “confident” that they can land Lambert-Smith.

NEWS: Auburn, Georgia, Texas A&M, Colorado and West Virginia have been in contact with Penn State transfer WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, @PeteNakos_ reports👀

Lambert-Smith is the top available receiver in the portal. https://t.co/tA2FTzX0RB pic.twitter.com/vIGn3u6gs9

— On3 (@On3sports) April 16, 2024

KeAndre Lambert-Smith had a career night against West Virginia in the 2023 season opener, hauling in four catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State football defeated the Mountaineers 38-15 inside Beaver Stadium.

“I would just say more opportunity,” Lambert-Smith told us after the game for what sparked the performance. “That’s all I wanted since I’ve been a freshman here. And I’m the number one guy now. The opportunity is here; I’ve got to make the most of it every game.”

The performance would be a high-water mark for Lambert-Smith in 2023, finishing the season with 673 yards and four scores. He finished his Penn State football career with 1,721 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Nittany Lions take on West Virginia in week one of the 2024 season at a date and time still to be determined.

Penn State’s top WR leaves for Auburn 👀🏈 #pennstatefootball #auburnfootball #collegefootball

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Penn State’s top WR leaves for Auburn 👀🏈 #pennstatefootball #auburnfootball #collegefootball

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

So far, the transfer portal has come for Nittany Lion wide receivers. On Tuesday evening, Penn State football lost a second pass catcher, Malick Meiga. Primarily a special teams contributor, Meiga had nine catches for 106 yards and a touchdown in his Penn State football career.

However, there will be more names to watch in the coming days, especially as James Franklin and the Nittany Lions coaching staff wrap up meetings with individual players coming out of spring practice. The spring transfer portal window closes on April 30.

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