Penn State WR Omari Evans reaching full potential as CFP run continues

Despite staunch internal support, especially from quarterback Drew Allar, ongoing critiques of their collective performance have not escaped the attention of Penn State’s wide receivers.

Dating to last year, the receivers arguably have been the team’s most maligned position group.

As the 2024 campaign got underway, those players wanted to show they were worthy of respect.

For junior Omari Evans, the yearlong effort of the wideouts heading into the Orange Bowl vs. No. 7 seed Notre Dame (13-1) speaks for itself.

“I think we’ve improved a lot, knowing how we were getting talked about last year after (the Peach Bowl),” he said. “I don’t think people can say those things about us any more. We definitely got a lot better. We took that (criticism) and worked all year for it where (reporters) are talking positive about us, which I think is paying off.”

Evans has personified some of the growth in the wide receiver room for sixth-seeded Penn State (13-2).

He has 21 catches for 415 yards and five touchdowns — modest statistics to the naked eye, no doubt.

Yet like fellow receivers Harrison Wallace III and Liam Clifford, Evans was entrusted to assume a larger role this season compared to last, when he managed four catches for 94 yards and a score in 11 games.

Judging solely by the increased stats, Evans has obliged.

“I would say I’m way better than I was a year ago,” Evans said. “Thanks to my teammates for pushing me every day in the weight room, speed training and all of spring ball, they helped me a lot, picking up some things from them.”

The 6-foot Evans has emerged as a consistent deep-threat option, leading the Nittany Lions in yards per catch at 19.8.

For Allar, Evans’ evolution has been in the making for some time.

“It started in spring with how he was performing during spring ball,” Allar said. “It transitioned into summer, summer workouts and also building that into fall camp, and I think we’ve seen it throughout the season, just his deep-threat ability.

“Pushing the ball downfield with a guy that has a God-given ability of just speed and running by anybody on the field is awesome. I’ve felt like he’s developed every route in his game. I don’t think there’s a route on the field that Omari can’t run.”

Evans echoed Allar’s final point about route versatility.

Additionally, Evans has sought to make an impact on plays when the ball’s not coming his way.

“I’m ready to show everybody that I’m not just a deep guy,” Evans said. “I can do the short routes and take it further than a 5-yard catch. I also have been improving my blocking game. I like to block for my teammates, so I’ve been making that an emphasis in my game — just not going to let my guy make the tackle.”

Evans’ most statistically robust performance came in Week 3 vs. Kent State, when he had four catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.

From there, he navigated three straight weeks with only one catch per game and then over the ensuing three weeks against Wisconsin, Ohio State and Washington, he recorded zero.

But Evans’ productivity has peaked again of late.

He had a touchdown in the Big Ten title game loss to Oregon and despite being held without a catch in Penn State’s first-round CFP game vs. SMU, he made an impact in the quarterfinals against Boise State.

James Franklin said that Omari Evans “has a superpower, but he’s starting to embrace everything else that comes with it.”

“The scary part is I don’t think Omari is anywhere close to where he can be.”

Here’s the ridiculous catch he made in the Fiesta Bowlpic.twitter.com/0WM7dhg4pp

— Lyle Alenstein (@LAlenstein) January 4, 2025

Evans caught two passes for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos, including an impressive short-range grab on the sideline that he turned upfield for extra yardage.

“I’m pretty confident right now,” Evans said. “But having a good game always creates more confidence going into the next game and the next game. My confidence was definitely boosted after that game.”

Coach James Franklin has no doubt enjoyed watching Evans approach his full potential.

However, he’s convinced Evans can still reach an even higher level.

“The scary part is I don’t think Omari is anywhere close to where he can be,” Franklin said. “I think as we continue to play this year, he’s just going to keep getting better.”