Live updates: Penn State head coach preseason press conference
Blue White Illustrated is providing live updates from Penn State head coach James Franklin‘s preseason media day press conference.
James Franklin press conference updates
Drew’s growth:
It’s been the whole room. Dialogue and discussions are really good in meetings. Andy with 19 years experience as a play caller and him being able to float, which is what he wanted to do, like NFL organizations, and then have someone like Danny, who Andy got comfortable with, helped as well. Dialogue has been really good. Players have a ton of respect for Danny as a former player that has walked in their shoes. And have a system now that is going to put best players in position to be successful, but Andy’s background as a line coach helps too. Typically on offense, how do you make everything as challenging as possible on the defense, but also limiting complications for OL and QB. And those are two positions that aren’t simplistic. Andy has done a really good job. Experience matters.
Drew has been able to lean into Danny and Andy, but some of the things systematically they’ll do, and even some things they do might be things people don’t imagine Drew doing, but him doing just enough of it opens up other things in the offense that make them difficult to defend. It’s interesting. When you watch just the Kansas film over the past few years, Beau was really excited. But over the last 19 years, Buffalo etc., and other offenses, other guys in that room have reason to be excited too.
Installing new offense:
In year 11 of this, not in a position to do a whole new offense. So it’s about figuring out what you can keep some things the same and what can change. So Andy has done a really good job of that. Takes a ton of confidence, a ton of intelligence, and enough experience to be able to do that. That’s so they don’t have 50 players learning a completely new system. Have a blend of one coordinator and the things that need to change. In a good spot there.
Some of the rule changes to have OTAs in the offseason has helped. In the old days when you hired a new coordinator but couldn’t coach in the offseason, those transitions are more significant. Less so now where they’ve gotten a ton of work done. Players confident in what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.
Cornerback position:
Terry is the model for recruiting and development. You would say where you lost two corners to the NFL that it was a big question going into the season and feel like it was an area with some concerns. But actually feel that position from top to bottom could be better athletically. They still have to do it on game day. When you’ve lost that amount of production, they understand that.
But in terms of seven guys that went through spring ball, summer, and now in training camp, feel really good about them. Three deep on either side. Cam Miller has the most experience at Penn State. Feel great about Audavion Collins, maybe most improved guy on the roster from the end of the season. Kimber has come in and changed his body, has played a lot of football. Harris. There are just a lot of guys they feel good about. Tracy and Washington they have confidence in. And most of those guys have played here or elsewhere.
Terry just does a really good job of rebuilding and retooling that position. Not a position as coaches that they have a ton of concern about. But just doesn’t have enough practice to say it’s these guys. Have a group they feel really good about, but someone needs to step up and be the guy.
Max Granville:
Already flashed in the first two days. Athletic and quick. Tested really well with baseline testing.
Didn’t know until late in the process that they were thinking about reclassifying. He was taking classes in the summer to be able to qualify and graduate now. Brought the option up to Penn State. And that triggered to Penn State that they were serious about Penn State. So then a ton of work had to happen with application, getting documentation, and getting him here. The same weekend his brother got married, had the wedding, then driving here. Had to do a lot in a short period time. Because of the wedding, got here at the last minute.
First impression is really good. But a big difference between running around in shorts and a tshirt and full pads.
Defensive end room after Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter:
Wouldn’t even say behind them. Amin Vanover is a guy enough people aren’t talking about. Ton of confidence in Amin. And the guy that people aren’t talking about is Smith Vilbert. He is a guy that they have a lot of confidence as a player for the program. Program has seen him. Big, strong, physical, experienced, mature. That gives them three DEs that have played a ton of football with Vanover, Dani, and VIlbert. Then Carter who is new to the position but played a ton of football.
Mason Robinson in year two needs to take a significant step. Then after that, a bunch of guys. Mupoyi, Williams, Meyer, Granville. Other guys in the mix there. But for them, Vanover, Carter, Dani, Vilbert, Mupoyi, Robinson are the six guys they know the most about.
Julian Fleming/Receivers:
“Solid. He’s been solid.”
They’ve all been good at times. A small number of practices and plays to evaluate. Staff and team felt receivers took a big jump in day two compared to day one. Jay Reed spoke to team after practice about it. That was a positive. Small pool to base that off of. Will have a better idea a week from now. But so far solid. Still steps that need to be taken for that entire room. Big question mark for media and fans. Coaching staff and players have a good amount of confidence in what that room has ability to do, and work put in with Beau and Drew all summer.
House settlement impact:
Everyone is working on plans based on what they know, but not everything has been settled. Other thing is every school and program will handle it differently. No more limiting scholarships, just limiting roster sizes. Every school has flexibility within that. Still things to be resolved.
Opening statement:
Welcome back. Going into day three of practice. First two days have been good, day two better than day one. Today is the first day for pads and hitting, which changes things.
Having the three new coordinators has been good. Ton of work has been put in since they came on board to get on same page as staff and with players. A lot of carryover from the past, but new wrinkles, which has been good.
Looking forwad to an exciting year and season.
The post Live updates: Penn State head coach preseason press conference appeared first on On3.
