2021 Penn State Nittany Lions Profile Card: Jahan Dotson

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson is motivated for big success in 2021, both as an individual player and as a team.

Name: Jahan Dotson

Number: 5

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Senior

Height: 5′-11″

Weight: 182

Hometown: Nazareth, Pa

High School: Nazareth Area

Twitter: @H55ZY

Overview

A year ago Jahan Dotson was thought of as a receiver who could be expected to become a significant part of the Penn State offense, but it was unknown just how much of an impact he would have. It turns out, he was a major part of the offense with his dazzling highlight catches and big numbers.

After posting 488 receiving yards in 13 games as a sophomore in 2019, Dotson doubled his receiving yardage in four fewer games as an emerging star in the Big Ten. Dotson led the Big Ten with 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, although other wide receivers on more successful teams landed more notable postseason accolades around the conference. But it was impossible to ignore some of Dotson’s signature moments for the Nittany Lions.

Of course, Dotson isn’t just a threat to catch the football on offense. Penn State has seen big returns from him on special teams. Last season, Dotson recorded the nation’s best punt return average for the season, setting the school season record in the process.

Dotson could have headed off to the NFL and been an interesting receiver prospect to monitor. But he joined a few of his upeprclassmen teammates I making a decision to return for one more season and attempt to redeem themselves as a team after a disappointing 2020 season. Driving Dotson’s own motivation is the chance to leave Penn State as a true Nittany Lion legend. As he makes his way up the school’s all-time receiving list, his legendary status is a goal coming into sight.

Dotson is putting in work this offseason to ensure his impact will once again be respected by his peers and opponents, while at the same time serving as inspiration for younger receivers around him on the offense. With a third-year starting quarterback in Sean Clifford throwing him the football in an innovative offense designed by new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, Dotson should be in for a big year for the Nittany Lions.

[vertical-gallery id=1738]

[listicle id=1682]

[vertical-gallery id=1660]

[vertical-gallery id=1642]

[lawrence-related id=1674,1655,1595,1565]

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.