Penn State's Koby Howard Off to Fast Start Ahead of Big Ten Opener vs. Wisconsin

The sophomore receiver leads No. 13 Penn State with 344 receiving yards through three games as the Nittany Lions open conference play Saturday against Wisconsin.

Penn State receiver Koby Howard has quickly become a central piece of the No. 13 Nittany Lions' offense, hauling in a team-best 12 passes for 344 yards across the team's 3-0 start. The program begins Big Ten play at home Saturday against Wisconsin (2-1).

Howard, who saw limited action as a freshman, built an early bond with quarterback Rocco Becht while Becht recovered from offseason shoulder surgery during winter workouts. Once Becht resumed throwing, the two connected right away, and the quarterback has praised Howard's ability to deliver in unexpected situations.

His production includes two long touchdowns after the catch, high-pointed grabs over defenders, rushing attempts from the backfield, and a touchdown on a reverse during Penn State's 55-13 nonconference finale against Buffalo. Among Bowl Subdivision receivers, Howard shares the lead in receptions of 30 yards or more.

The expanded role follows a freshman season in which Howard barely played early and did not rejoin the receiver rotation until mid-October. After James Franklin was dismissed three games into the conference schedule, Howard weighed transferring but chose to stay once he learned he would likely play alongside Becht, the FBS's winningest quarterback.

Howard has credited a demanding daily routine, arriving at the team facility before 5 a.m., for his turnaround. Becht said in July that he hopes Howard reaches 1,000 receiving yards this season, a mark no Penn State receiver has hit since Jahan Dotson in 2021.