With The First Pick
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Cotton Bowl: 5 2020 NFL Draft Prospects to watch in Penn St. vs. Memphis

By Nicholas Perlich

STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball on a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball on a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. WR. KJ Hamler. 1. player. 806. Pick Analysis. Penn State

KJ Hamler is arguably the most exciting and explosive player who will take the field in the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic. He can do it all for Penn State as a receiver and kick and punt returner. In fact, Hamler is the leading receiver for the Nittany Lions with 54 catches, 858 yards, and eight touchdowns on the season. He has also accounted for 126 punt return yards as well as 489 kick return yards in 2019.

Hamler is a smaller receiver at 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds. He certainly makes up for his lack of size with world-class speed, acceleration, and quickness. He is an incredible threat for gigantic yards after the catch with his explosiveness and elusiveness in the open field. He utilizes his speed well to get very good separation on his routes. His elite athleticism is obviously what helps him also be an excellent returner on special teams. On the negative side, Hamler doesn’t display consistent, natural hands at the catch point while also lacking in play strength due to his lack of size.

Hamler, like the aforementioned Gross-Matos, is also eligible to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. While most expect to, in fact, declare at some point, Hamler has yet to make his intentions known at this point. In this game, Hamler will be one of the more fun and explosive players to watch. His game-changing speed and explosiveness make him a big play just waiting to happen.

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