UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State football head coach James Franklin met with the media on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the team's first spring practice. Franklin discussed roster and coaching changes, expectations for the spring, and outlined his hopes for the annual Blue-White Game. Here are some major takeaways from the media session.
- Franklin noted that four transfers and 11 incoming freshmen are already on-campus and set to participate this spring. Franklin said he believes several newcomers will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact and is looking forward to seeing how the entire group grows and develops over the next month and throughout the summer.
- On Monday, the program announced that Deion Barnes was elevated from his role as graduate assistant to defensive line coach. Franklin said he wanted to wait until after spring break to share the news with the team before a public announcement. He also said Barnes stood out among a wide variety of candidates from both the professional and college ranks.
"Deion was a letterman and players and former players felt strongly about me hiring Deion, but I had to make sure it was the right person," Franklin commented. "Throughout that process it became more and more obvious it was the right thing to do. Deion's got his collegiate experience here at Penn State and he's done a really good job of taking everything in and being very intentional about it."
- Franklin announced that former defensive end Torrence Brown is now back with the program filling the void left with Barnes' new opportunity. Brown was a part of Franklin's original recruiting class and played for the Nittany Lions from 2014-17.
- Franklin outlined how the team wants to distribute reps among its quarterbacks this spring after Sean Clifford spent a majority of the last four seasons as the team's starter.
"We would like to keep it as even as possible and we kind of have it structured that way at practice," Franklin said. "Specifically with Beau [Pribula] and Drew [Allar], we try to keep it as even from a reps standpoint as possible. But right now, we really have it structured in a way based on our depth right now that all three of them will get the same number of reps. I think that's really important in spring ball, that not just at the quarterback position."
- The program is excited about the depth on the defensive line despite losing tackle PJ Mustipher. Franklin identified four players Hakeem Beamon, Zane Durant, Dvon Ellies, and Jordan van den Berg who have played in significant game action and then discussed optimism for the development of other returnees at the position. Franklin said the goal is to have a two-and-a-half deep depth chart at every position compiled with players who have game experience and is excited to see how Deion Barnes influences the group in his new role.
- Franklin discussed the positive aspects of spring practice, saying it gives players an opportunity to compete and coaches the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of individuals. He feels that 15 practices and off days In between practices provides an ideal opportunity for growth, development, and teaching.
- Franklin said he thinks the overall depth on the roster will allow the team to return to a typical spring game format this April:
"Based on our numbers right now, we anticipate going back to a traditional spring game look we've had in the past. I know a lot of people have gone away from that. I think there's value in it. I also think that we're one of the unusual schools where 75,000 people show up to watch a spring game. I would like to be able to give 'em a spring game."
- Finally, Franklin addressed if the team has different expectations following January's thrilling 35-21 Rose Bowl Game victory over Utah. He said the program will continue to approach things the same way with a competitive environment and aim to improve everyday. The hallmark of the program has been a 1-0 mindset. Franklin explained the goal of the spring is to improve individually and collectively and then evaluate progress coming out of the spring game. He said, "right now we're just trying to get better as our program and our units."
Hakeem Beamon