James Franklin assesses value of getting Coziah Izzard back on defense

Penn State defensive tackle Coziah Izzard made his season debut against Northwestern and is officially back in the rotation for the Nittany Lions going into the bye week. James Franklin and the team don’t play again until they face No. 4 Michigan on the road on Oct. 15.

Franklin discussed getting the redshirt sophomore back and its impact on the defense on Tuesday.

“He’s a guy who’s played a lot of football for us,” Franklin said. “Whenever you’re able to get a guy who’s had production in major games in the Big Ten and get him back in the rotation, it helps. It creates more competition at the position, it keeps guys healthy, and all those types of things. It’s obviously a big boost for our defense and defensive line.”

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Last season as a redshirt freshman, Izzard played in 10 games, including the postseason game versus Arkansas. He racked up 21 tackles for two sacks and a forced fumble.

Coming out of DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, Izzard was a four-star prospect. He signed with the Nittany Lions as the No. 258 prospect in the 2020 class and the No. 15 edge rusher, according to the On3 Consensus.

Franklin reveals Smith Vilbert will not play this season

Penn State defensive lineman Smith Vilbert didn’t play in any of the first five games and according to Franklin, Nittany Lions faithful won’t see Vilbert at all over the remainder of the season.

“I appreciate you asking, Smith will not be available this week. Will not be available this season,” stated Franklin on Wednesday.

Last week, Franklin said that Vilbert simply “wasn’t available,” but noted that he’s proud he’s on the team.

“Just not available,” Franklin said. “I’d like to sit down with Smith and make sure that me and him are on the same page. Again, we talk all the time about whatever it may be, whether it’s injuries or whatever it may be: I don’t like to make announcements here publicly before we have spoken so we’re all on the same page.

“I got a ton of respect for all the players in our program, and I want to be respectful of their situations, whether it’s personal, whether it’s professional, whether it’s academic, whatever it may be. I want to be respectful of those things. And you know, I’m really proud that Smith Vilbert’s a part of our program. I’ll leave it at that for right now.”

Penn State had high hopes for the defensive end in 2022 after he ended the 2021 season with a three-sack performance in the Outback Bowl.

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report.