KeAndre Lambert-Smith bet on himself in the transfer portal and found an ideal fit at Auburn. The former Penn State wideout traded Beaver Stadium for the SEC West ahead of the 2024 season and immediately became a featured deep threat in Hugh Freeze’s offense.
Virginia Pedigree and Penn State Breakthrough
Lambert-Smith grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and starred at Maury High School, catching 73 passes for 1,219 yards as a senior while helping the Commodores win their first state title in 80 years. Rated a four-star prospect, he committed to Penn State in the 2020 class and worked his way up the depth chart. By 2023 he had become Drew Allar’s top returning target, logging 53 receptions for 673 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.
Transfer to Auburn
After the 2023 campaign Lambert-Smith entered the portal, seeking an offense that would accentuate his vertical routes and route-running savvy. He committed to Auburn on April 24, 2024, citing Freeze’s tempo offense and the opportunity to compete against SEC defenses.
2024 Production with the Tigers
The move paid off immediately. Lambert-Smith paced Auburn with 50 receptions for 981 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 19.6 yards per catch - the highest mark among SEC receivers with at least 40 grabs. He recorded four 100-yard games, including a 7-catch, 156-yard performance in a win over LSU that set the tone for Auburn’s push back into the Top 25. His explosiveness earned him second-team All-SEC honors from both the coaches and the Associated Press.
Skill Set and NFL Outlook
At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Lambert-Smith wins with burst and nuanced route running. He stacks cornerbacks quickly off the line, tracks the ball with ease, and can shift from the slot to the boundary depending on the personnel grouping. Scouts project him as a Day 2 draft candidate if he continues to produce in 2025, especially given his track record in two Power Five leagues.
Lambert-Smith’s journey from Norfolk to State College to the Plains illustrates the power of fit. Auburn wanted an experienced receiver who could stretch the field, and Lambert-Smith delivered, cementing himself as one of the SEC’s premier deep threats.