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Written By
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Gino Leone
Contributor
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
Heading into the offseason, Youngstown State was set to lose its top two receiving threats in Max Tomczak and Flash Wilson. Both Tomczak and Wilson played a crucial role in the Penguins’ offensive system last season, with Tomczak being quarterback Beau Brungard’s go-to target and Wilson offering explosiveness and deep threat capability.
In addition to those two losses, Mike Solomon and Luke Hensley also departed, clearing out YSU’s top four receivers in terms of production and making the wide receiver room an offseason priority.
With just RK Dandridge and Fresh Walters slotted to return as contributors with meaningful reps, and a plethora of youth and inexperience, YSU turned to the transfer portal for answers.
Of the nine offensive players transferring into the YSU program, seven are wide receivers, proving that the Penguin coaching staff desired to bolster rotation and provide more downfield receiving threats.
If YSU is able to nail these portal additions and provide Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Beau Brungard with a variety of different options, the Penguins’ offense will be primed for future success with all five starters back on the offensive line, an explosive tailback in Jaden Gilbert, and a talented tight end room.
Lorenzo Jenkins (6-3, 185) transfers in from Bethune-Cookman, where he was able to generate solid production in two seasons. In 2024 and 2025, Jenkins combined for 693 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 49 receptions, averaging 14.1 yards per catch.
408 of those receiving yards came last year, as Jenkins was able to produce several high-output performances. Against Alabama A&M, Jenkins hauled in five passes for 75 yards, including a 40-yard reception. In a standout game at South Carolina State, he was able to total 46 receiving yards and one touchdown on four catches.
Lynn Wyche-El (5-10, 175) joins YSU after putting up impressive numbers last season at Division II Grand Valley State. In ten games, Wyche-El was able to catch 38 passes for 581 receiving yards and five touchdowns, also adding 22 rushing yards to his total.
Adding Wyche-El to the team not only deepens the wide receiver core, but it also boosts the special teams unit. In 2025, Wyche-El had seven kickoff returns for 154 yards and also had eight punt returns for 26 yards. It will be interesting to see if YSU intends to utilize his speed and explosiveness in the return game.
Connor Smith yields from Division II Assumption University located in Worcester, Massachusetts. A physical specimen at 6-4, 190, Smith experienced a breakthrough year in 2025, recording 859 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 49 receptions.
Emerging as a legitimate deep threat for the Greyhounds, Smith earned recognition as a First-Team All-Conference Selection and All-Super Region nominee. A lengthy target with veteran experience, YSU hopes that Smith will turn into a reliable option come fall.
Feeding more into the nature of YSU’s aggressive offensive philosophy, Bryan Hunt provides the Penguins’ with yet another aerial punch. Suffering a season-ending injury in 2025, Hunt will have to power through the rehab process and get back to his 2024 form, where he was a Second Team All-G-Mac selection at Division II Findlay.
Starting nine games that season, Hunt finished with 36 receptions for 527 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards per catch. Hunt was also able to be productive in both 2023 and 2022, combining for 41 receptions, 628 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
Hunt’s proven production will make him an interesting name to monitor when spring ball arrives.
Former LaBrae High School product Aidan Stephens returns home to Youngstown and continues the common thread of these receiving additions – experience. From 2023 to 2025, Stephens registered 87 receiving yards on 14 catches for the Yale Bulldogs.
With an impressive high school resume that includes being an All-State and Two-Time All-Conference selection, Stephens brings veteran presence and stability.
Zane Kinsey (5-10, 190) transfers in from P4 Cincinnati after not seeing action in his first two seasons with the Bearcats.
Prior to joining Cincinnati, Kinsey enjoyed a one-year stint at Walsh University, and was a standout at Toronto High School. Kinsey is listed as a Junior on YSU’s 2026 roster.
Another P4 prospect, Williams was a highly touted high school prospect that elected to walk-on at Ohio State despite holding offers from Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Michigan State, and several others.
Standing at 6-2, 215, Williams boasts a massive frame and was a do-it-all-athlete at Princeton HS, participating in football, basketball and track. As a Junior, Williams hauled in 22 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his freak athleticism at the high school level.
With experience at one of the most highly regarded programs in College Football, it will be intriguing to see if Williams is able to thrive at the FCS level.
