Shawney Kersey is ready to carry the momentum he built at the end of a strong spring practice into a prominent role on the offense in 2012. The redshirt junior wide receiver made good strides during spring drills and made three receptions for 54 yards in the Blue-White game. Coach Bill O[apos]Brien pinpointed the former Woodbury High School standout as a receiver with big-play abilities during his spring practice evaluation. The quick and athletic Kersey also brings good hands and size to the field and made steady progress last season. With continued progress leading up to the season, Kersey is primed to be among the consistent contributors in the passing game this fall and could emerge in a starting role. He made five catches for 108 yards with a long reception of 41 yards last year, while starting three games. Kersey is one of seven returning Nittany Lions from New Jersey.
2011 • JUNIOR SEASON
Kersey made five catches for 108 yards with a long reception of 41 yards, making starts in three games. He made one reception in each of the first two games, including a 26-yard catch against No. 2 Alabama. Kersey hauled in a career-long 41-yard reception from Matt McGloin in the non-conference game against Eastern Michigan, helping McGloin gain Big Ten Player-of-the-Week honors. Kersey also made two catches for 32 yards in the Big Ten opener at Indiana. He saw action on 185 snaps, led by 26 each against Indiana State and Temple.
2010 • SOPHOMORE SEASON
Kersey made contributions as a wide receiver and on special teams, appearing in 10 games. He delivered a big 24-yard gain on a reverse against top-ranked Alabama on the first touch of his career. He returned a punt against Iowa and made a reception for two yards in the win at Minnesota. Kersey delivered a 26-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter at Ohio State. He was on the field for 150 plays, including 21 snaps at Iowa. He hauled in a pair of 18-yard touchdown passes from Paul Jones to help lead the Blue team to victory in the 2010 Blue-White game.
2009 • FRESHMAN SEASON
Redshirt season.
HIGH SCHOOL
As a senior at Woodbury HS under Coach Zack Valentine, Kersey missed a portion of the season due to injury. An All-Group I second-team selection, Kersey caught 35 passes for 534 yards and four touchdowns his junior season, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. He also recorded 55 tackles and three interceptions.
PERSONAL
Full name is Shawney Rashad Kersey. He is a telecommunications major in the College of Communications. Born September 13, 1990.