Penn State endures ‘bumps and bruises’ this spring: Notebook
Surrounded by reporters on Tuesday evening, Penn State head coach James Franklin considered a question about Tyler Warren. Asked about the tight end’s development this spring, Franklin wanted to make one clarification.
The spring session might be nearing its end. But, crucially, it’s not over yet.
Through 12 practices out of 15 allotted, Penn State will return to the practice field for a 13th on Thursday afternoon. Friday, the Nittany Lions will be back together for a final time leading into Saturday’s Blue-White Game at Beaver Stadium.
Before moving ahead to Saturday’s scrimmage, Franklin provided one last round of insights into the program as it winds down its spring session. Here is a look at the news, notes, and observations to emerge from the conversation:
“Bumps and bruises”
Asked about the format of this year’s Blue-White Game, Franklin made the first allusion to what has been apparent throughout the spring.
“We got some bumps and bruises,” Franklin said.
Through the course of the spring session, the Nittany Lions have seen the likes of Quinton Martin, JB Nelson, Kaytron Allen, KJ Winston, Jaxson Smolik, and others come and go. Confirming for the first time publicly Blue White Illustrated’s report regarding the “significant injury” sustained by Smolik this spring, Franklin acknowledged the physicality of the spring and its ramifications.
However, he added that he continues to expect Saturday’s Blue-White Game format to be one resembling scrimmages of the past.
“We’ve had a very physical spring ball,” said Franklin. “But we expect to have more of a traditional spring game. That’s where we’re at right now and what we plan on doing.”
Blue-White Breakdown
How will that plan come to fruition?
In past springs, Penn State has pitted its first- and second-team performers against third and scout teams. But, according to Franklin on Tuesday evening, the Nittany Lions are aiming to divvy up teams to encourage the best competition possible.
“I’m just breaking it up. Trying to make it as competitive as possible,” said Franklin. “So strategically, putting guys on both teams that I think the game has a chance to be competitive. Guys that we would probably consider starters.”
Pointing to Penn State’s defensive tackles and cornerbacks as example, rooms with extensive experience and competition in their own right, Franklin said an equal distribution of talent between the teams was important.
“Tying to kind of divvy it up, so that you got guys that you feel like you can play in Big Ten games on either side of the ball and either sideline,” he said.
Transfer portal balk
Asked about the upcoming transfer portal and the program’s standing with its scholarship count heading into the 2024 season, Franklin mostly dismissed the conversation outright.
“We’re in great shape,” said Franklin. “We don’t don’t feel like any of those things will be an issue.”
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