James Franklin had a strong offseason—keeping key players and making a big-time splash with the hire of Jim Knowles after Tom Allen’s exit. But not everything went his way. The wide receiver hunt? That’s where things fell short. Franklin missed out on several top targets in the winter transfer window. Now, all eyes are on USC transfer Kyron Hudson and Troy’s Devonte Ross. However, if they don’t look like difference-makers this spring, don’t be surprised if Franklin goes portal diving again for that game-changing playmaker.

Franklin has a golden shot in 2025. With Jim Knowles — one of the top defensive minds in the game — joining from OSU and QB Drew Allar returning, the stars are aligning for a championship run. But there’s one big question: do the Nittany Lions have the wide receivers to get it done? “We’ll have a better idea through spring ball… after talking to the strength coaches, and we kind of really get into it with testing. Then we’ll have to make some decisions once the spring transfer portal opens — and also who’s available,” said Franklin.

The pressure is on PSU’s wide receivers in 2025. James Franklin feels it. Moreover, Pat Kraft knows it. But it’s receivers coach Marques Hagans who wears it daily. On January 9, Hagans faced the media with the Orange Bowl loss still fresh. The Nittany Lions were just a few plays from a shot at the title. But under the bright lights, the receivers disappeared — not a single catch. On the program’s biggest stage, they went silent. That can’t happen again. And Hagans knows it. Now, as the fire turns up, Penn State’s assistant coach is breaking his silence — pushing back against the heat from fans and doubling down on his mission.

On the April 14th episode of Locked On Nittany Lions, Marques Hagans got real. Entering year three at Penn State, he was asked what he’s learned about the job — and about himself. His answer pulled no punches, and he said, “I know this is a very passionate fan base here — very, very passionate — and people speak candidly and freely about Penn State football. You got to understand that everybody’s opinion is not going to be in your favor, and you just got to focus on the job and the task at hand. I’m very fortunate to coach a great group of guys, and I work with a great staff of guys, and that’s all I focus on. I have learned that this is a very passionate fan base here at Penn State.”

So, the heat comes with the territory. And Hagans is standing tall in the fire. But when asked if the heat from Penn State’s passionate fan base ever caught him off guard, Marques Hagans kept it real.

“Yeah, I think so, I think so. But I mean, rightfully so. I mean, everybody’s entitled to their opinion, and you know, I think that’s what makes sports very interesting — people have opinions now with social media, and I think people just speak on opinions based upon being passionate. So I think that’s just part of it. But that’s probably something that I would say. But, I’m a cool guy, I enjoy coaching the guys that I coach, I enjoy working with the guys that I work with, and I’m encouraged and excited about year three,” said the WR coach. So, the pressure? It’s there. But Hagans is embracing it with a cool head and a locked-in mindset for Year 3.

What can a receivers coach truly express when the stat sheet reflects zero on the most significant night of the year? No grabs. No game-changers. There’s no escaping this fact. No one has dissected the disaster since the Orange Bowl shutout, but Penn State’s actions clearly convey the situation. Top targets Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans? Gone. In their place, new blood and raw potential. But there’s a spark now. A game-changer in the making. And just like that, James Franklin’s 1,250-yard weapon is confirmed.

James Franklin’s weapon is primed and ready

James Franklin has a boost in the transfer portal as USC WR Kyron Hudson commits to the Nittany Lions. Well, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound playmaker from Duarte brings 38 catches for 462 yards from his 2024 season. With one year of eligibility left, Hudson is the perfect addition to a position of need for PSU. Known for his clutch one-handed grab against LSU, he excels at contested catches and making plays in traffic. So, Hudson’s arrival strengthens the receiving corps and gives the Lions a much-needed boost.

When asked about Kyron Hudson, WR coach Marques Hagans didn’t hesitate and said, “I think so. I think that’s what draws us to a lot of the guys we recruit,” he said. Adding, “It’s about finding the right players—those who have the talent and that fire inside. The drive to be tough, to refuse to be outworked. Every day, they show up, ready to work, ready to improve. No complaints, no excuses—just the mindset of ‘I’m here to get better.’ That’s what we mean by the ‘right guys.’” Clearly, Hudson meets the criteria.

But when asked how close Penn State is to reaching that vision, Marques Hagans had a clear answer. “Every day, we’re getting closer. Every day, we’re getting closer,” said the WR coach. Adding, “I know what you want me to say, but we’re just focused on getting there. And once it happens, everyone will see it. That’s the goal. But even when we reach it, we’ve got to keep pushing. Once you’re on top, everyone’s watching—you’ve got to stay there. So, every day, it’s the same goal.”

Honestly, while the journey is ongoing, the climb is far from over.