WR Johnson ‘talk’ of camp at PSU
special-teams contributor, catching just two passes for 10 yards. But Gattis said the lessons learned from ex-Nittany Lion and Tampa Pay Buccaneers draft pick Chris Godwin have been on display throughout the preseason.
“Juwan easily could’ve played a lot of football for us last year,” Gattis said. “He could’ve started for us — actually he did start one game. But we were so comfortable having Chris Godwin. He’s going to be another guy who’s going to make a ton of plays for us.”
With Godwin’s departure, Penn State is without its top receiving target from 2016. Godwin had 59 catches for 982 yards and 11 touchdowns — all team highs — last season.
Gattis said four players are in the conversation to emerge as Godwin’s replacement. That group includes senior tight end MikeGesicki, who finished second to Godwin in receptions (48), yards (679) and touchdowns (five) in 2016. The other three players are presumably Johnson and senior wide receivers DaeSean Hamilton and Saeed Blacknall.
Gattis said the receiver rotation will consist of as many as seven players as junior DeAndre Thompkins and sophomores Brandon Polk and Irvin Charles likely will join the mix.
Hamilton, who made All-Big Ten teams as a freshman and sophomore, also drew praise Wednesday from Gattis.
“Fifth-year senior, he just continues getting better,” Gattis said. “He’s a guy that’s dedicated to his craft. He wants to get better. And it’s really neat to watch a guy that’s played a lot of football, a guy that’s been multiple All-Big Ten receiver, continue to want to get better.”