Wide receivers coach Marques Hagans was watching a spring practice at Chaminade-Madonna High School in Florida when one player caught his eyes.<\/p>\n
It was wide receiver Koby Howard, who scored a game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard fade route. Flashes like that garnered Howard attention through the recruiting process, and he\u2019s continued to make similar impressions so far through his first fall camp at the collegiate level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m like, \u2018Sh\u2014, that\u2019s it right there. He\u2019s gonna be something,\u2019\u201d Hagans said on Aug. 12 while recalling Howard\u2019s score. \u201cI think it\u2019s starting to show that dude loves football. You can coach him hard, you can push him, and he\u2019s competitive, but he\u2019s also a really good teammate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howard endured season-ending injuries in both his sophomore and senior seasons in high school but still earned a 247Sports composite 4-star rating. He finished his junior year with 65 catches for 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns.<\/p>\n
During the high school practice Hagans was at, Howard\u2019s skills were on display even before his touchdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe coach called 10 passes in a row, told the whole defense the ball was going to (Howard), and he just kept getting open over and over,\u201d Hagans said. \u201cHe\u2019s going db after db after db, and he keeps winning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howard having successful reps has shown up in Penn State\u2019s fall camp as well. He caught a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone during a 3-on-3 drill at Tuesday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that type of consistency that\u2019s been the center of most praise for Howard. Teammates have mentioned Howard\u2019s strong work ethic and ability to create highlights.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe works so hard,\u201d wide receiver Kyron Hudson said Aug. 12. \u201cHe\u2019s a kid, a freshman, late night, he\u2019s out here working by himself. I think as a freshman, you don\u2019t see that a lot, and he truly pushes himself, and he\u2019s super comfortable. He loves his game. He goes out there and just makes the plays, and I think that\u2019s what makes him be him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wide receiver Koby Howard (3) catches a pass while assistant wide receivers coach Mark Dupuis watches at Penn State football practice in Holuba Hall on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in University Park, Pa.<\/p>\n
Lyle Alenstein<\/p>\n
The defense also had similar feedback for Howard as A.J. Harris matched Hudson\u2019s sentiment.<\/p>\n
\u201c(He\u2019s) consistent. He\u2019s the same person every day,\u201d Harris said Tuesday. \u201cHe gets open every day. He\u2019s just a hard worker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Transfer additions Trebor Pe\u00f1a, Devonte Ross and Hudson are the three expected wide receiver starters for the Nittany Lions, but there would still be some spots in the rotation available behind them, which Howard could fill.<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen how much Howard plays in the rotation, if at all, though there\u2019s some anticipation he\u2019ll be a contributor in 2025. Quarterback Drew Allar mentioned he expects Howard to play \u201cat some point\u201d this season, and Harris believes Howard will \u201chave a good year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those expectations are seemingly believed by the team as a whole. At every open practice this month, Howard has worked with the ones and twos, possibly signifying he\u2019ll be a key piece in the rotation.<\/p>\n
It appears Howard earned the right to be with top players at the position, showing up when it\u2019s needed most according to Hagans.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the biggest moments in camp so far, he\u2019s risen to the occasion and made plays,\u201d Hagans said. \u201cNow, he\u2019s got to carry that throughout the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howard\u2019s only a few months into his collegiate career and has yet to see action in a real game, but the buzz is there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to speak too fast before he has made one play in college football that counts, but I\u2019m excited for him,\u201d Hagans said.<\/p>\n
MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n
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