Holding a narrow 7-3 lead over Iowa in the second quarter, Penn State freshman wide receiver Koby Howard lined up to the right of the formation.
Ethan Grunkemeyer took the snap, surveyed the field and fired to Howard on a dig route for a 14-yard gain, the longest play of the game for either team to that point. Howard returned to the bench beaming after his first college reception.
“After Koby got his catch last week, you know, he definitely was recycling some positive energy on the bench and stuff like that,” tight end Luke Reynolds said. “So we kind of just know the energy that (Howard and Tyseer Denmark) bring to the offense.”
Denmark didn’t record a catch against the Hawkeyes — the redshirt freshman has just two this season, coming against Nevada and Villanova. Despite their limited production, the two have earned nothing but praise from coaches and teammates since arriving on campus.
“Both of them are incredible, incredible receivers and close friends of mine, so I’ve got a bunch of respect for them,” Reynolds said. “I think they both just got a lot of wiggle, a lot of quick twitch. Yeah, they’re good players, so I’m excited.”
Despite their apparent talent, neither of the former four-star recruits have seen many snaps. Howard has appeared for 31 plays, while Denmark is credited with 23 this season and 43 last year, per PFF.
When asked about the promising young duo of wideouts, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said “both bring quickness,” but asked “who’s coming off (the field)?” to make room for them.
It was a puzzling response given the lack of consistent production from starters Kyron Hudson (five receptions in four Big Ten games), Trebor Peña (hasn’t reached 20 yards in conference play) and Devonte Ross (no catches on one target at UCLA). Not to mention veteran Liam Clifford seeing 86 snaps this season for a whopping one reception.
“Tyseer and Koby, they’re ballers, and they’re very talented, even at a young age,” Peña said. “At the end of the day, we got to do what’s best for the team, and they definitely deserve opportunities to play and showcase what they can do. And you know, I’m happy for them, and I can’t wait to see them.”
Smith said personnel decisions are left up to coordinators and not himself, but he’s had conversations with other coaches about getting the two involved. He named them as two of four players who could see more action down the stretch, along with linebacker Alex Tatsch and cornerback Jahmir Joseph.
“We’re just trying to be creative to get some of the young talent on the field and give them an opportunity,” Smith said.
Grunkemeyer, who’s been thrust into the starting role following Drew Allar’s season-ending injury, spoke highly of the duo earlier this week. He’s spent ample practice time working with the two, considering he spent most of the season getting second-team reps.
“They know this as much as anyone, I’m a big fan of their games, and I think that in the past week, and really all year, I’ve gotten to throw to them a lot,” Grunkemeyer said. “I think they do a really good job creating separation, so I’m super excited for them. I think they do a really good job. I’m just excited to see how both of them keep going throughout the season.”
Grunkemeyer said that chemistry began on “day one,” when Howard hounded Grunkemeyer to get some reps in together.
“As a quarterback, you like to hear that,” Grunkemeyer said. “I think that’s one of his best attributes, is his confidence, and I think that carries on to the field and in the game when he goes in there and plays.”
