Penn State wide receiver Geno Lewis to transfer to Oklahoma

Penn State wide receiver Geno Lewis, whose playing time and productivity in 2015 were significantly lower than they were the previous season, announced Monday on Twitter that he will transfer to Oklahoma for his final year of eligibility.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Lewis, who received his undergraduate degree last month, established career lows this past season with 17 catches, 196 yards and an 11.5-yard average per reception. In 2014, he caught 55 passes for 751 yards and a 13.7-yard average.

Lewis' playing time was reduced after the emergence of sophomore Chris Godwin, who caught 69 passes for 1,101 yards, and the continued steady play of DaeSean Hamilton.

In his message on Twitter, Lewis, who is from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., said he made the decision to transfer after a long discussion with family and coaches.

"This was not an easy decision but I feel like it is time to move on to the next chapter in my life," he said.

Lewis thanked former head coach Joe Paterno, whose staff first recruited him. He credited former head coach Bill O'Brien and Stan Hixon, his position coach, "for coming in and holding this legendary program together during Penn State's most difficult times and giving me my first opportunity to play."

He also thanked head coach James Franklin, his staff, the athletic training staff and his academic advisors. As for the fans, he said, "I appreciate everyone for the support, and hope you understand my situation."

"To all my teammates, I just want to say, from the sanctions to now, I wouldn't want to go through all of that with any other group," he said. "No one could ever break the brotherhood and support we have for each other."

Franklin wished Lewis well, saying he "has been a valued member of our team and has made some clutch and memorable catches during our two seasons with him. He has influence on and has been a great mentor to our young group of receivers."

Lewis was an All-State quarterback at Wyoming Valley West High School. He was moved to wide receiver during his redshirt freshman year and remained there for his three years of competition. He put his quarterback skills to good use on Nov. 7 at Northwestern when he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Hamilton.