“Penn State WR Coach Sounds the Alarm: ‘We Could Always Use Help’ as 2025 Season Approaches”
STATE COLLEGE — As Penn State gears up for a potential national championship run in 2025, the spotlight is on the Nittany Lions’ wide receivers. With high expectations for the upcoming season, the pressure is mounting on James Franklin’s team to deliver a title contender, and the wide receiver position is becoming a focal point of concern.
Both Franklin and athletic director Pat Kraft are aware of the critical role the wideouts will play in Penn State’s championship aspirations. However, it’s receivers coach Marques Hagans who feels the weight of the challenge most acutely.
When Hagans last spoke to the media, following the heart-wrenching College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame on January 9, the reality of the situation was laid bare. Penn State came incredibly close to advancing to the national title game, just a few points shy of beating the Fighting Irish. Yet, despite the intense stakes of the Orange Bowl, the wide receivers came up silent. In a game that was crucial for Franklin’s program, the wideouts failed to make a single catch, underscoring a glaring weakness on the biggest stage the team has ever reached.
Hagans’ comments reflect the growing concern around the position heading into 2025. While Penn State boasts a talented roster, the wide receivers’ lack of impact during critical moments last season has left room for doubt. The program is well aware that the road to a national championship will be paved with more than just strong defenses and dominant running backs. They’ll need a reliable, explosive receiving corps to compete with the nation’s elite teams.
Hagans, known for his candid approach, acknowledged the ongoing need for improvement, stating, “We could always use help.” His words carry weight as he assesses a group that struggled to make its presence felt when it mattered most. As the season approaches, there’s a growing sense that the Nittany Lions will need to make significant strides at wide receiver if they are to meet their lofty goals. With all eyes on them, the pressure is on to deliver when it counts. The question now is: Will the wide receivers step up, or will they be the missing piece in Penn State’s championship pursuit?