Pena, Ross named to Biletnikoff Watch List, boosting Penn State WR outlook

Penn State football landed multiple nominees to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List ahead of the 2025 season – a change from last year’s late recognition.

The award annually honors the best FBS receiver in the country, regardless of position. In 2024, tight end Tyler Warren was the only Nittany Lion to make the list, added in October after a standout first half, and was one of just four non-receivers included.

This year, the Nittany Lions don’t have to wait.

Long identified as a priority in Penn State’s pursuit of success this fall, the program’s aggressive transfer portal approach at wide receiver has already shown results. Announced Wednesday afternoon, the award’s preseason list included both Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross among its 47 candidates.

That recognition places Penn State among just nine programs with multiple nominees, joined in the Big Ten by Ohio State (Max Klare, Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate) and Michigan State (Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray). Former Nittany Lion Harrison Wallace III, who transferred to Ole Miss in January, is also among the preseason honorees for the Rebels.

Early signs of encouragement

Speaking to BTN’s touring crew this week, Penn State head coach James Franklin and several players offered early signs of optimism about the receiver room’s trajectory.

Pena and Ross arrived in January as two of three transfer additions, along with USC’s Kyron Hudson, as part of a push to give quarterback Drew Allar and new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki more proven weapons.

Asked about key position groups needing to take the next step for Penn State to reach its goals, Franklin pointed directly to the receivers – both the new additions and their backups.

“Obviously a big storyline last year was the wide receiver position and not enough production, specifically in what people would term ‘big games,’” Franklin said. “That has been a huge emphasis all summer, really since the season ended, and that’s been good so far.

“We went out and got three guys with proven production – two of them specifically at this level – plus some young guys we’re really excited about. The room has been elevated because of that, and that’s going to be important for us moving forward.

“And then depth – we have some really good, high-level players, but in today’s college football you better have a legitimate three-deep at every position. We played the longest season in the history of Penn State football last year, and to win at the very highest level, you need that. So we’re all over the twos and threes, making sure they’re ready to contribute and help us win games.”

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