Report: Penn State Interested in No. 1 Transfer Portal Receiver

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Joe Smeltzer | Last updated 12/4/23

Penn State is reportedly among the schools interested in the top-ranked receiver in the transfer portal.

This receiver also happens to have experience in the Big Ten.

Purdue’s Deion Burks entered the transfer portal Monday morning when it opened.

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong reported that Burks has already heard from schools such as Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas and USC. Burks played at Purdue for three seasons, redshirting in 2021 and catching 15 passes for 149 yards (none of those stats came in Purdue’s season-opening loss to Penn State Sept. 1, although Burks played in the game). Burks blossomed into a weapon this season. He ended the year with 47 catches for 629 yards and seven touchdowns. Before Purdue, Burks was a three-star receiver from Michigan’s Belleville High School.

Purdue WR Deion Burks is @247Sports No. 1 ranked player at the position in our Transfer Portal Rankings. Schools he's talking to include #Texas #PennState #Oklahoma #USC among others. Out of Belleville (Mich.) High, he could also go the NFL Draft route. Story here:…

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) December 4, 2023

Penn State wasn’t a major player in Burks recruitment.

His top six was Boston College, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Indiana and Iowa State.

Judging by that, Burks is smitten with the Midwest, but a lot can change in three years.

The receivers room was generally thought to be the biggest weakness during Penn State’s 2023 regular season. Aside from KeAndre Lambert-Smith (53 catches, 673 yards, four TD), no Penn State WR had more than 246 yards. But Penn State’s had quality options at receiver throughout the James Franklin era. Players such as Chris Godwin, Jahan Dotson and KJ Hamler all became high-round NFL draft picks.

Penn State’s sure to address the receivers room in some facet in this transfer portal window. While all this is going on, the team also has to worry about Lane Kiffen’s Ole Miss team. That’s who PSU plays in the Peach Bowl Dec. 30

Wherever Burks lands, he’ll have two years of eligibility left.

This article first appeared on Nittany Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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