James Franklin mum on QB, tips hand on one starter, more: Notebook
Penn State football head coach James Franklin met with the media on Wednesday evening. Welcoming a larger contingent of reporters than the norm, Franklin turned to a support staffer before entering the scrum to comment on as much.
He claimed to not know why.
With the Nittany Lions turning the corner from preseason camp, breaking into game-week mode ahead of next Saturday’s tilt with West Virginia, an announcement of a starting quarterback was anticipated, if not hoped for, among the assembled media.
And, from the jump, Franklin wasted no time in disappointing.
Asked about making decisions regarding his starting kicker, punter, and possibly even quarterback, and whether he’d announce them to the gathered pool, Franklin issued a flat no.
“We have not even done it as a staff yet,” he said.
While that leaves an undetermined waiting game before Franklin and Penn State make anything official, the Nittany Lions head coach did offer insights into other happenings around the program.
Here, we’ll dive into some of the news and notes items to emerge from the 12-minute session:
James Franklin news and notes
1) No starters, but there is a D squad
As noted in our practice notebook, Penn State has broken out its developmental or scout team squad now. Concluding on Sunday night at Beaver Stadium with a third and final scrimmage, that left Franklin to survey the program and let all players on the D squad know their roles moving forward. As he explained, that meant a Monday meeting with him, a Tuesday meeting with their position coaches, and the on-field manifestation of those conversations on Wednesday afternoon.
“Typically, I always meet with them two days before we break into D squad or scout team. We did that today,” Franklin said. “So I met with them two days ago. Then the position coaches met with all of them yesterday. We did do that.”
As indicated by BWI publisher Sean Fitz, a contingent of non-scout team freshmen crystallized on Wednesday afternoon.
It includes King Mack, Zion Tracy, Tony Rojas, Elliott Washington, Jameial Lyons, London Montgomery, Cam Wallace, Andrew Rappleyea, Anthony Donkoh, and J’Ven Williams.
2) Dante Cephas “battling”
The picture at receiver for Penn State is no clearer than at the start of preseason camp. And, in his response to a question about Dante Cephas, the prized transfer receiver from Kent State this offseason, Franklin made that reality plain.
Though a combination of unique factors exists for a group of “four to five” receivers that are “battling,” that keeps KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Trey Wallace as the only two sure things at the top of the depth chart. Meanwhile, Cephas is with the likes of Liam Clifford, Malik McClain, Kaden Saunders, and Omari Evans battling.
Explaining his thinking, Franklin detailed a transition that has presented challenges to Cephas on the front end of his time with the Nittany Lions.
“I think he realizes that this has been different, the adjustments, especially with the DBs and the man-to-man coverage that we play. It’s just different,” Franklin said. “Not saying that he’s not a big-time player. But there’s a difference between getting enough one or two days a week, or one or two times a year and a season, coming out here every single day, that type of competitiveness that you need to be successful.
“So, it’s been a really good adjustment for him. He’s handled it really well. And he’s part of that group that’s competing for those spots.”
3) At safety, per James Franklin, ditto
The news isn’t any different at safety, where Franklin, Manny Diaz, and Anthony Poindexter continue to sort through their options.
Alluding to a competition that has featured Keaton Ellis, Jaylen Reed, Zakee Wheatley, and Kevin Winston, Franklin laid out that the shuffling isn’t quite over.
“In the secondary, there’s still a battle going on between the four safeties,” Franklin said. “There’s been some bumps and bruises like there is for every camp. So, that’s also kind of made it a little bit more interesting.”
Franklin did, however, clarify Penn State’s confidence at cornerback thanks to the preseason emergence of Johnny Dixon. Paired with Kalen King, the former transfer from South Carolina has made a significant impact this month, as we detailed Tuesday.
“I think the guy that really has had a strong camp is Johnny Dixon. He has taken a significant step,” Franklin said. “He’s probably the guy who’s taken a significant step. And then there’s a bunch of young players that we think will rotate in and contribute as well.”
4) Special teams starter named
Franklin had nothing to offer in the way of an update for Penn State’s place-kicking, punting, or kickoff responsibilities.
Sander Sahaydak has taken strides as a placekicker thanks to the injection of competition provided by Alex Felkins. Franklin also acknowledged that decisions have not been made, but the outside help has spurred on the entirety of the specialist group.
Meanwhile, Franklin did issue as close to a starting announcement as he’s made all preseason. It was for the snapper responsibilities this season.
“I would say Tyler Duzansky was probably one guy that’s pretty much solidified himself,” Franklin said. “Pretty significant gap between the other two. And I think the other two are pretty good. But, there is a significant gap.”
5) Across the universe
Asked about the pair of tackles vying to start opposite Olu Fashanu this season, Drew Shelton and Caedan Wallace, Franklin issued some of his strongest commendations for Wallace’s performance all preseason.
And he did it by saying relatively nothing at all.
“Caedan is a little bit like the questions you guys have had with me in the past with the O-line. I don’t really like putting it out there in the universe. I’ll let you guys tell me where they’re at,” James Franklin said. “But, I’ve been very pleased and happy with Caedan’s approach this camp. He’s had a really good, consistent approach. And I’ll leave it at that.”
Shelton, meanwhile, was praised for his position flexibility and reps taken both at left and right tackle this month.
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