Penn State football is in hot pursuit of one of the top names in the spring transfer portal—Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Pena. After visiting Happy Valley, Pena quickly emerged as a top target, with Penn State his first and only visit so far. While some fans are already penciling him in as a starter, others remain cautious about what he brings to the table.

Pena is a sixth-year senior who finally made his impact felt during the 2023 season under new head coach Fran Brown. Despite a slow development curve, he put up a productive campaign that would’ve made him Penn State’s most statistically impressive receiver last season—not counting tight ends like Tyler Warren.

So what’s the catch?

While Pena offers veteran experience and toughness, questions linger about his true ceiling. He’s a solid route runner, reliable hands, and isn’t afraid to make contested catches. But he’s no superstar. Much of his production came against softer ACC defenses, many of which ran zone coverages that gave him free releases. How he fares against elite man-to-man Big Ten corners is an open question.

That said, his fit in Penn State’s offense is clear. The Nittany Lions are targeting him strictly as a slot receiver. If signed, he would join a starting trio alongside X-receiver Kyron Hudson and boundary threat Devonte Ross. The staff sees Pena as an immediate upgrade in the slot—something the current wide receiver room lacks.

However, Pena reportedly wants a significant NIL deal—upward of $2 million, according to Fran Brown. That price tag may be negotiable, but it shows just how transactional the portal has become.

In short, Penn State would be landing a plug-and-play contributor who boosts the passing game, but fans shouldn’t expect a Marvin Harrison Jr.-level impact. Pena is a solid addition—but not a game-breaker.