DEAL DONE: Penn State immediately sign a super 5-star WR from Auburn after borrowing a huge amount of money from

There are numerous contrasts between State College, Pennsylvania, and Auburn, Alabama. For KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn’s new wide receiver, the most striking difference was the intense summer heat of the Deep South.

“It got warm up there during the summer, but this heat is on another level,” Lambert-Smith remarked on Thursday.

The shift in climate made the start of fall camp challenging for him, though he’s beginning to acclimate.

“On the first day of camp, my legs felt weak, and I started seeing spots,” Lambert-Smith admitted. “But I’ve adjusted now.”

After spending four seasons in State College, where he had a standout 2023 season with career highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, Lambert-Smith decided to join Auburn. His decision was primarily influenced by the offensive style and his relationship with the coaching staff.

Despite being new to Auburn, Lambert-Smith was already familiar with Auburn football, having played against them in 2021 and 2022 while at Penn State, winning both matchups.

“My teammates ask, ‘Did we play against you?’ and I tell them, ‘Yeah, I’m 2-0 against you guys,'” Lambert-Smith joked. “But now I’m on your side. I’m with the good guys now.”

Just as his first practice at Auburn left an impression, so did the climate during Penn State’s 2022 visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“The heat,” Lambert-Smith recalled when asked about that game.

“Coach Franklin warned us, ‘It’s a different kind of heat down there.’ I remember warming up and feeling like I had already played a full game,” he continued. “I thought, ‘There’s no way I could ever play in this heat.’ And now, here I am.”

Lambert-Smith will face the heat again in his first game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on August 31, when Auburn takes on Alabama A&M.