Call/response: Penn State media day clarifies preseason questions
Penn State football opened the doors to its entire program on Saturday afternoon for its annual preseason media day. Welcoming reporters to Beaver Stadium first, head coach James Franklin was joined by coordinators Tom Allen, Andy Kotelnicki, and Justin Lustig in answering questions.
Then, the entire show moved over to Holuba Hall.
Putting the program’s players and assistant coaches, minus the first-year players, on the practice field across University Drive, reporters were given full access to about an hour of questions and answers. Along the way, a number of themes were clarified regarding the Penn State football program as it continues through its preseason practices.
Taking a cue from my Friday 3-2-1, and responding to it, here are the topics at issue and how they were addressed by the program’s coaches and players on Saturday:
Call and response: Penn State media day clarifies questions
Topic 1: Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys fallout
Before the start of any of Saturday’s proceedings, Penn State media personnel followed up on their statement provided to Blue White Illustrated’s Greg Pickel in the morning. Defensive end Jameial Lyons and linebacker Kaveion Keys, are no longer enrolled at the university and are subsequently not in the Nittany Lions’ football program. And, importantly, no further comment would be provided by Franklin or any of his assistants regarding the matter.
While that puts to rest any outstanding questions regarding where the two players stand with the program, its implications were less understood. However, through conversations with players and coaches, the path forward is a little more clear.
Part I: The linebackers
At linebacker, let’s go to linebackers coach Allen. I asked him what the depth behind Tony Rojas looks like at the start of camp. He offered a lengthy, and revealing, response detailing a few key areas pertaining to the Will linebacker spot.
“You have Dom DeLuca, and I cross trained him in the spring, which now turned out to be really good idea,” said Allen. “The bottom line is that Kari Jackson is going to have to step up. Fortunately, he was here in the spring and has really kind of changed his body and his mindset. He is just a different person from spring practice to training camp.”
From there, Allen touched on two more important elements.
The first is cross-training centered. Kobe King, he said, has to be able to play both Mike and Will. That weaves Ta’Mere Robinson, one of the buzziest players of media day, into the fold.
The second is that Penn State’s wealth at safety, with Jaylen Reed, KJ Winston, and Zakee Wheatley all trained to take on the Lion position in an evolving-anyway 4-2-5 look for the Nittany Lions’ defense, it’s going to take on more prominence.
“The reality is that you grow the Lion position into what we do, to where it’s not relying on three guys. It’s relying on two guys out there on the field in that circumstance,” he said. “And so that takes some of that pressure away a little bit.”
Lastly, Allen also acknowledged the cross-training of Abdul Carter, who will take on responsibilities both at linebacker and defensive end this season. Ultimately able to employ a host of options, though, Allen made plain that adjustments have been necessary.
“The Keon situation and now this one has really affected our depth at that spot,” said Allen. “But I will say this, the position flexibility, I want to recruit linebackers that can play all three spots.
“Ta’Mere Robinson, he’s a guy that I think he could play all three. And he had a great offseason. That’s where Kobe being able to play both Mike and Will, Ta’Mere being able to play both, Dom being able to play Sam, Mike, Will. Tony can play all three. Ta’Mere is a guy who people don’t know much about but I think he’s gonna be a really good player. So those are the guys who are going to have to rise up and make plays.”
Part II: Defensive line fallout, continued
Talking to Deion Barnes, the confidence in the pieces that remain in the defensive end rotation hasn’t waned. And while the loss of Lyons is undeniable, likely the second or third-best end of the group this season with even bigger things ahead, the elevation of Mason Robinson and Joseph Mupoyi as contenders for fifth and sixth roles in the rotation is the primary difference.
Otherwise, when discussing Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert, Barnes echoed the confidence expressed by Franklin.
“If you watch film, Amin has been making plays for us since he’d been here. He’s a disruptive dude. He’s a kid that has shown since he’s been here that when he steps on the field, he creates havoc,” said Barnes. “And Smith hasn’t played since the Outback Bowl, but big, strong. He’s more of an experienced guy that understands the game. So both of them guys, the guys that I’m counting on to not just help us, but go out there and make a difference.”
Topic 2: The receivers
The ongoing emotional need for Penn State fans hoping for a radical transformation at receiver this season was not satisfied. Asked about Julian Fleming, Franklin said “he’s been solid.” Asked about the room beyond him, Franklin offered that the sample size has been limited, and there had been improvement for the group from the first practice into the second.
“So, I thought that was a real positive,” said Franklin. “But it’s just kind of a small pool right now to really base that off of. I’ll have a better idea a week from now. But so far, solid. And obviously, there’s still some steps that need to be taken there for that entire room.
“That’s been a big question mark for the media and some of the fans. I think the coaching staff and players have I would say a good amount of confidence in what that room has the ability to do and the amount of work that they put in with Beau and Drew all summer.”
A savior isn’t coming.
But, gradual improvement is on the table for a Penn State receivers group that has improved morale and has remained focused on providing positive contributions to the offense this season, with the encouragement of teammates and coaches around them.
Topic 3: Team leadership progress
The sentiment regarding the leadership component of the Nittany Lion football program followed a similar path. Franklin said the program “feels good about” its leadership. And some of the responses of the players showed a subtle acknowledgment has been made that they might be without the outsized personalities of Sean Clifford, P.J. Mustipher, and Tig Brown again, but could still produce worthy leadership nonetheless.
Take Jaylen Reed, who will be among those counted upon to deliver a strong voice for the defense this season.
“I feel like we’re trending in the right way right now,” he said. “It’s gonna take time. That’s what fall camp is for. We got this whole camp to see who the leaders are. It’s a list of guys I could name right now.
“I feel that right now, me, K.J., I feel like we’re taking that stride right now, and Dvon Ellies. We’re taking that stride to be the leaders on his team. There’s a lot of other players I could name, but I feel like those guys are standing out right now. I feel like we are player-led but it’s gonna take time for us to build it. Build the culture and build the culture around the players that lead.”
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