There are many differences between State College, Pennsylvania, and Auburn, Alabama.

For new Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, no change hit him harder than the deep south summer heat.

“It got hot up there in the summer, but this is a different type of heat,” Lambert-Smith said Thursday.

The change in climate made the beginning of fall camp difficult for him, but he says the heat is becoming more normal to him.

“The first day of camp, my steps were getting light. I started seeing stuff,” Lambert-Smith said. “I’ve gotten adjusted, though.”

Lambert-Smith transferred from Penn State to Auburn in April.

The move came after he spent four seasons in State College, highlighted by a 2023 season where he had career highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

His decision to sign with Auburn largely came down to the style of offense and his relationship with the staff, Lambert-Smith said.

When Lambert-Smith arrived in Auburn after his transfer, it wasn’t his first experience with Auburn football.

At Penn State, Lambert-Smith played against Auburn in 2021 and 2022, both wins for the Nittany Lions.

“They ask me like, ‘Did we play against you?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m 2-0 versus y’all,’” Lambert-Smith said jokingly when asked if he talks about those games with his new teammates. “But we on the same chain now. I’m with the good guys now.”

Just like his first practice at Auburn, the change in climate immediately jumped out to him when Penn State came to Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2022.

“The heat,” Lambert-Smith said when asked what he remembers about the game.

“Coach Franklin was telling us, ‘Yeah, it’s a different type of heat down there.’ Blah, blah, blah. When I got down here, through warm-ups, it felt like I played a whole game already,” he continued. “I’m like, ‘There’s no way I could ever play in some heat like this.’ And then I end up here.”

Lambert-Smith’s first game back in the heat at Jordan-Hare Stadium is Aug. 31 when Auburn plays Alabama A&M.