The early signing period for football prospects in the Class of 2020 is upon us, and Penn State is expected to bring in a larger-than-usual class throughout the day. On the Penn State blog today, I’ll be breaking down each of the signees. Here is my scouting report on the class’ top receiver prospect, KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
Penn State WR prospect KeAndre Lambert-Smith. PHOTO BY PENN STATE ATHLETICS
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
School: Maury HS (Va.)
Projected position: Receiver
Rating: Four stars by Rivals.com, 247sports and ESPN
Other offers: Clemson, Duke, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia.
Projection: It doesn’t appear as if it takes Lambert long to get to his top speed, which is a valuable weapon for a receiver. He is adept at drawing cornerbacks in, then blowing by them, or getting off the line quick, then breaking in or out on a shorter route. He tracks the deep throw well, and in the running game, he’s an enthusiastic downfield blocker, which has become a trademark of Penn State receivers. Receiver is probably the easiest position on the team to project a prospect coming in and contributing in 2020, and Lambert has that ability. It’s probably unfair to throw out comparisons, but his game and Chris Godwin’s coming out of high school don’t lack for similarity. Lambert needs to get stronger to reach that level, but he’s a good one.
Donnie Collins has been a member of The Times-Tribune sports staff for nearly 20 years and has been the Penn State football beat writer for Times-Shamrock Newspapers since 2004. The Penn State Football Blog covers Nittany Lions, Big Ten and big-time college football news from Beaver Stadium to the practice field, the bowl game to National Letter of Intent Signing Day. Contact: dcollins@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5368; @DonnieCollinsTT