UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Just seventeen days removed from Penn State's annual Blue-White game, head coach James Franklin and defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Manny Diaz spoke to the media following the program's eighth practice of the spring on Wednesday evening.
Here are three takeaways from the midweek press conferences.
Wormley and Isaac Preparing for Return
Penn State is set to receive a significant boost at the point of attack on both sides of the ball from two returning players who didn't get the opportunity to step on the field last season.
Redshirt junior Adisa Isaac, who combined for three sacks and 27 tackles throughout his first two college seasons, has stood out since returning to the field this spring.
"Adisa's the one guy that flashes consistently," Franklin said. "Losing him last year was a significant loss for us, so having him back is exciting."
"He just has some things you can't teach," Diaz said. "In terms of athleticism, his ability to bend, turn the corner, his length… We're excited to see him grow in his role every day."
Wormley, who was also in contention to claim a starting job on the offensive line last fall, earned recognition in 2019 as the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Year.
"Saleem was really slotted for us to be a starter before he got the injury," Franklin said. "He was playing at a really high level, practicing well, and doing some really good things."
Getting the Defense Up to Speed
With the departures of reliable contributors such as Jaquan Brisker, Tariq Castro-Fields, Arnold Ebiketie, Jesse Luketa and Brandon Smith, Penn State's defense will have new contributors step up this fall.
"I think as a coach you like that challenge," Diaz said. "But what doesn't change is the standard. The expectation of how they should play does not change, and I think our guys are excited about that."
Franklin noted last week that the defense had been enduring valuable "growing pains," a natural tendency for players adjusting to the implementation of a new scheme.
"I think we've been playing faster every day," Diaz said. "What stands out to me about our guys is that they really want to do right. When you challenge them in a certain way, they respond in a player-led way the next practice."
Additionally, Diaz said his mentality is to not plan on redshirting any of the incoming freshmen. Rather, his focus is on having everyone prepared to play once they get on campus.
"We're trying to push knowledge on them so that when they get here in the summer, it's not just hearing it for the first time," Diaz said.
Brown, Mustipher Taking on Leadership Role
When asked about who he sees as an on-field leader of the defense, Diaz called the senior ball hawk at safety, Ji'Ayir Brown, "an honor to coach."
"He just does everything you want him to do," Diaz said. "If you had eleven of him, you wouldn't need to coach."
Last season, Brown led a Penn State defense which finished the season plus-six in turnover margin (21 takeaways) with, a milestone no Penn State player had hit since Anthony Scirrotto in 2006, six interceptions of his own.
Diaz also pointed to senior PJ Mustipher as someone who has a vested interest in helping his teammates improve.
"You feel his presence every day, he makes sure of that," Diaz said.
