3 hours Ago By Rich Scarcella
STATE COLLEGE – Tyseer Denmark had the speed to see significant playing time as a freshman last season at Penn State, but he was raw with skills that needed to be refined. So even though Nittany Lions coach James Franklin lauded him during training camp last August, it wasn’t surprising that Denmark spent most of last season watching and learning from more experienced wide receivers. “I have a saying for myself: ‘You can always get greater later,’ ” Denmark said.
“The man above always has what’s best for you. You can’t rush your process. You can’t rush your time.
” The future is now, though, for Denmark, especially with Penn State in position to contend for a national championship. The play of the wide receivers has been a weakness the last two seasons. Veterans Harrison Wallace III (Mississippi) and Omari Evans (Washington) transferred shortly after the 2024 season ended.
The Lions have added Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy) from the portal. The 5-10, 182-pound Denmark has an opportunity to gain a significant role in the fall. “Everybody goes through a phase in the first year when there’s potential,” wide receivers coach Marques Hagans said.
“ ’Oh, this guy can be this or that.’ Now it’s time for him to produce. He’s got to produce.
“Once he starts producing, he’ll garner everybody’s attention and teams will start scheming for him. This is the production stage for him.” Denmark was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals and a three-star by 247Sports and On3.
He led Imhotep Charter to a 36-5 record in three seasons, including a 15-0 record and the PIAA Class 5A championship in 2023. He enrolled at Penn State in June 2024 and played in three games, making two catches for 28 yards and a touchdown. Denmark is facing stiff competition during spring practice from Hudson, Ross, Liam Clifford, Kaden Saunders and incoming freshman Koby Howard, among others.
“I’m going out there and playing with pure dominance with the extra reps I’m getting,” he said, “and competing as hard as possible. I’m making sure there’s no doubt with our guys and making sure we go out there and compete at a high level. “I’m making sure I’m always ready to play.
It’s knowing everybody’s job, not just my job, and knowing the offense in and out. Just going out there and playing with no fear. Playing to my capability with confidence.
Just playing fast.” Denmark also is striving to be more consistent and is focusing on putting “more effort into what I’m doing without the ball than when I just get the ball.” “We need some of these young guys who have been in the program to take the next step and we think they will,” Franklin said.
“We’ve seen flashes of that this spring. I think the two guys from the transfer portal have come here and increased the competition across the board.” Hudson caught 38 passes for 462 yards and three touchdowns last season at USC.
Ross made 76 catches for 1,043 yards and 11 TDs at Troy. “Those two guys are very talented and work very hard,” Denmark said. “They get after it.
You see them in the facility non-stop being connected, watching film. I love those two guys. Their presence in the room has helped a lot of guys get better.
” Penn State finished 66th in the nation in passing last season, even though Drew Allar ranked 13th in pass efficiency. The Lions badly want to improve the production at wide receiver. Denmark has a chance to help.
“Tyseer has to be able to take all those things we talked about last year and produce because we’re counting on him,” Hagans said. “Then he’s got to be able to perform in all settings and anytime, no matter who we play and no matter where we go. “Everybody’s time is right now.
We ain’t got time to wait.”.
