There may not have been a bigger surprise in the Sun Belt Conference last year than Georgia State wide receiver Penny Hart.
Unknown by scouting services who didn’t laud him with stars, unloved by other division I colleges who didn’t offer him a scholarship, Hart signed with Georgia State and became the most productive freshman wide receiver in the conference.
He was named the newcomer of the year after 71 receptions for 1,099 yards and eight touchdowns. He made the Football Writers Association All-America team after finishing second in FBS in receiving yards and touchdowns.
But it’s a new season. Hart is looking ahead, trying to build on last year’s 6-7 record and appearance in the Cure Bowl.
“All that stuff doesn’t matter,” he said. “We had a losing season. A lot of people forget that. I’m not worried about last year at all.”
To improve, Hart said he’s trying to become a better leader to try to replace what was lost with the departures of quarterback Nick Arbuckle and wide receiver Donovan Harden. He hasn’t ready any books on leadership. He trusts that he knows who he is and what to do.
He’s also working on reading defenses, which he expect will try new things to try to slow him down in the slot this season. Part of his learning will include more time studying defenses, which he figures will try new tactics to try to slow him down from the slot.
Lastly, he’s trying to build chemistry with the quarterbacks competing to replace Arbuckle.
Coach Trent Miles said he expects one thing: “That he continues to be Penny. A great person. A great leader. Excellent player. A big-play guy.”
