Spring Preview: YSU Reloads at Wide Receiver

Top Two Targets Gone

A large part of YSU’s offensive success last season came as a result of its top two receiving threats giving Beau Brungard reliable options to go to.

Max Tomczak led the receiving corps after catching 70 passes for 1,021 yards and eight touchdowns, earning First Team All-MVFC honors. Tomczak was Mr. Reliable for the Penguins, proving to be Brungard’s favorite target in critical situations.

Flash Wilson finished the season as YSU’s No. 2 option at wide out. Wilson’s explosiveness and deep threat capability made him a lethal part of the Penguins’ passing attack, as he recorded 652 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

With Tomczak gone to graduation and Wilson transferring to UConn, YSU turned to the transfer portal to reload at wide receiver.

Portal Additions

Of the seven total additions to the wide receiver room, four players have created some separation at this point in the spring.

Lynn Wyche-El, a transfer from Grand Valley State, offers top-end speed and rapid footwork. Last season, Wyche-El was recognized as a First Team All-GLIAC selection after hauling in 38 passes for 581 yards and five touchdowns.

His versatility allowed him to contribute in multiple phases, returning seven kickoffs for 154 yards and eight punts for 26 yards on special teams while adding six carries for 22 yards on offense.

A former state champion at the high school level, Wyche-El is projected to serve a similar role as Flash Wilson.

Lorenzo Jenkins (6-3, 185) has the most proven FCS experience among the transfer additions to the wide receiver corps. At Bethune-Cookman, Jenkins emerged as a perimeter, deep threat wide out capable of making difficult contested catches.

In two seasons with the Wildcats, he combined for 693 receiving yards and six touchdowns, averaging 14.1 yards per catch. Last fall, Jenkins recorded touchdowns against Florida A&M, Southern, and South Carolina State, and had a standout performance vs Alabama A&M (75 yards).

Assumption transfer Connor Smith (6-4, 190) like Jenkins boasts a massive frame for a wide receiver. Smith is a freak athlete, as he won the 2022 Wrestling State Open Championship (182 pounds) and was a state champion in the 110m hurdles at Fairfield Prep.

Smith erupted last season, being named to the D2CCA All-Super Region 1 First Team and All-NE10 First Team following an 859-yard, seven-touchdown campaign. He scored touchdowns in five games and totaled four 100-plus yards receiving games.

Bryan Hunt is a veteran leader with proven production at Division II Findlay. From 2022 to 2025, Hunt started 24 games, registering 89 receptions for 1,301 yards and 14 scores. In 2024 he was a Second Team All-G-MAC nominee and turned out a career-best 527 receiving yards.

He suffered a season-ending injury last year, but is expected to be another deep-threat target for quarterback Beau Brungard.

Returning Production

Richard Dandridge and Fresh Walters both return at wide receiver.

Dandridge played in four games as a reserve WR, hauling in five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. The highlight of his season came against Towson, when he made a season-long 25-yard catch late in the fourth quarter that set up a game winning field goal.

A receiver with good speed and two-years of experience in the program, Dandridge will have the opportunity to compete for a larger role.

Walters competed in all 13 games in 2025, catching eight passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Like Dandridge, Walters made a massive play late in a must-win game.

Against Illinois State, Walters hauled in a 53-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter which helped YSU secure a 40-35 victory. He also completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Beau Brungard vs Murray State.