Harrison Wallace III's four-year career at Penn State established him as one of Drew Allar's most reliable receivers before his decision to transfer to Ole Miss after the 2024 season. From Chicago, Illinois, Wallace's journey through St. Rita of Cascia High School to Penn State featured steady development from role player to featured receiver, culminating in a breakout 2024 season that positioned him for a transfer opportunity. His departure, along with KeAndre Lambert-Smith's, created the receiver vacancy that Penn State addressed through the transfer portal in 2025.
Chicago Roots and St. Rita
Wallace's path to Penn State began at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, one of Illinois' premier Catholic high schools with a rich athletic tradition. Standing 6'3" and weighing 205 pounds, Wallace possessed ideal size for an outside receiver with the athleticism to compete at the Big Ten level.
His combination of size, speed, and production at St. Rita made him a coveted prospect for major programs. His decision to attend Penn State reflected his belief in the program's receiver development and its commitment to competing for championships.
Early Career Development
Wallace's early years at Penn State featured the typical development path for receivers learning to compete at the Big Ten level. The adjustment to the speed of college football, the complexity of offensive schemes, and the physical nature of Big Ten defensive backs required patience and consistent work.
His freshman and sophomore seasons provided valuable experience and practice repetitions that laid the foundation for his eventual emergence as a featured receiver. Wallace's willingness to embrace his developmental role and continue working to improve demonstrated maturity and long-term thinking.
2024: Breakout Season
Wallace's redshirt junior season in 2024 marked his arrival as Penn State's top wide receiver. He led the receiver room with 46 catches for 720 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games (all starts), averaging a career-high 15.7 yards per reception. These statistics placed him second on the team in receiving yards behind only All-American tight end Tyler Warren.
His season-opening performance against West Virginia showcased his potential, as he caught five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. This breakout game announced Wallace's arrival as a legitimate deep threat and go-to receiver for Drew Allar.
Throughout the 2024 season, Wallace demonstrated reliability and big-play ability that made him Allar's most trusted wide receiver. His chemistry with Allar, developed over multiple seasons, created a productive partnership that helped Penn State reach the College Football Playoff.
Penn State Career Numbers
Wallace's four-year Penn State career produced 84 receptions for 1,221 yards and six touchdowns across multiple seasons. These statistics reflect steady improvement and increasing responsibility within Penn State's offense.
His career trajectory—from developmental player to featured receiver—demonstrates the patient approach necessary for many receivers to reach their potential at the college level. Wallace's willingness to wait for his opportunity and capitalize when it came exemplifies the development process at major programs.
Playing Style and Strengths
Wallace's 6'3", 205-pound frame provided ideal size for an outside receiver. His length allowed him to win contested catches and create separation at the top of routes. His developing route-running and understanding of how to attack different coverages made him increasingly effective as his career progressed.
His 15.7 yards per reception in 2024 demonstrated his ability to create explosive plays and stretch defenses vertically. Wallace's speed and ability to get behind defenses made him a constant deep threat that defensive coordinators had to account for in game planning.
His reliable hands and concentration improved throughout his career, building the trust necessary to become Allar's go-to receiver. Wallace's consistency in making routine catches while also producing explosive plays created a complete receiving profile.
Partnership with Drew Allar
Wallace's chemistry with Drew Allar developed over multiple seasons and reached its peak in 2024. Their ability to connect on deep balls and create explosive plays became a defining characteristic of Penn State's passing game.
Allar's trust in Wallace to win one-on-one matchups and make contested catches allowed the offense to take shots downfield with confidence. Their connection on crucial third downs and in red zone situations demonstrated the timing and trust developed through countless practice repetitions.
The Transfer Decision
Wallace's decision to transfer to Ole Miss after the 2024 season surprised many Penn State fans, as he had established himself as the team's top receiver and appeared poised for an even bigger role in 2025 following Tyler Warren's departure to the NFL.
His transfer, along with KeAndre Lambert-Smith's departure to Auburn, created significant questions about Penn State's 2025 receiver depth and necessitated the additions of Kyron Hudson and Julian Fleming through the transfer portal. Wallace's departure represented a significant loss of production and experience for Penn State's offense.
Ole Miss Opportunity
Wallace's decision to transfer to Ole Miss likely reflected his pursuit of greater NIL opportunities, a different offensive system, or both. Ole Miss' high-powered passing offense under Lane Kiffin provided Wallace with opportunity to showcase his skills in one of college football's most aggressive passing attacks.
The transfer demonstrated the modern college football landscape where established players can seek new opportunities even after successful seasons. Wallace's departure, while disappointing for Penn State fans, represented his exercising of options available to college athletes in the transfer portal era.
Impact on Penn State
Wallace's departure, combined with Lambert-Smith's transfer, forced Penn State to reload its receiver room through the transfer portal. The loss of both top receivers from 2024 created urgency for Penn State to add experienced receivers who could provide immediate production.
His transfer also created opportunities for younger Penn State receivers to step into featured roles. While Wallace's production would be missed, his departure opened playing time for the next generation of Penn State receivers to emerge.
Legacy at Penn State
Wallace's legacy at Penn State is defined by his patient development, his breakout 2024 season, and his role as Drew Allar's most reliable receiver during a playoff season. His career trajectory from developmental player to featured receiver provides a blueprint for young receivers entering the program.
His 84 career receptions and 1,221 yards place him among Penn State's productive receivers during his era, while his 15.7 yards per reception in 2024 demonstrated his big-play ability. His contributions to Penn State's 2024 playoff run will be remembered by fans who watched him develop into a reliable target.
The West Virginia Performance
Wallace's five-catch, 117-yard, two-touchdown performance against West Virginia to open the 2024 season represents the high point of his Penn State career. The breakout game showcased all of his skills—speed, hands, route-running, and ability to create after the catch.
This performance set the tone for his entire 2024 season and announced his arrival as a legitimate deep threat. The West Virginia game demonstrated what Wallace could accomplish when featured in the offense and targeted aggressively.
Comparison to Penn State Receivers
Wallace's career places him among a long line of productive Penn State receivers who developed over multiple seasons before emerging as featured players. While he may not reach the heights of Penn State legends like Allen Robinson or Chris Godwin, Wallace's development and production represent solid receiver careers at the program.
His path—steady development, patient waiting for opportunity, breakout season, transfer for final year—reflects modern college football realities where players exercise options to maximize their final seasons of eligibility.
Conclusion
Harrison Wallace III's Penn State career represents both successful player development and the new realities of college football's transfer portal era. His journey from Chicago to Penn State featured patient development from role player to featured receiver, culminating in a breakout 2024 season as Drew Allar's most reliable wide receiver.
His 46 catches for 720 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 established him as Penn State's top receiver and contributed to the team's College Football Playoff run. His decision to transfer to Ole Miss after the season, while disappointing for Penn State fans, reflected his pursuit of new opportunities in his final season of eligibility.
Wallace's legacy at Penn State will be defined by his development, his 2024 breakout season, and his contributions to a playoff team. His departure, along with Lambert-Smith's, forced Penn State to reload its receiver room but also created opportunities for new receivers to emerge as go-to targets. Harrison Wallace III's Penn State career exemplifies both the potential for development and the complexities of modern college football in the transfer portal era.