Penn State WR K.J. Hamler ‘could wind up in first round,’ streak in jeopardy

Penn State wide receiver K.J. Hamler continues to rise up NFL draft big boards, but his status for next week – and his current receiving streak – may be in jeopardy.

No. 9 Penn State plays at No. 2 Ohio State.

Hamler, at 5-foot-9, 176 pounds, is a redshirt sophomore. Tony Pauline, NFL draft analyst for Pro Football Network Tony Pauline believes Hamler will enter the draft after this season, adding that he’s been told by a number of league insiders and scouts that Hamler “could end up in the first round next April.”

Hamler left Saturday’s win over Indiana in the first quarter. The team has not disclosed the nature of Hamler’s injury, but it should be noted that he did not return after landing on his head following a kickoff return.

Hamler has 46 receptions for 791 yards and 8 touchdowns this season along with 18 kickoff returns for 372 yards and 21 punt returns for 95 yards. Overall, Hamler is averaging 117.3 all-purpose yards per game.

Penn State coach James Franklin said he’s “pretty that we’ll have him for next week.”

Should he suit up against Ohio State, Hamler will attempt to continue his 13-game streak of having at least one catch of at least 20 yards, but he’ll have to do it against a solid Ohio State secondary that has at least four DBs who could be on NFL rosters next season.

Hamler has at least one catch in all 23 career games, including a 41-yarder last week before the injury.

Hamler checks in as the No. 83 overall prospect in Pro Football Focus’ latest top-100 big board and No. 93 in the Fanspeak Player Database.