James Franklin: Not enough people are talking about Ji'Ayir Brown

Ji’Ayir Brown returned to Penn State this year as a third team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches last year. He’s a staple of the Nittany Lions’ defense, and James Franklin made that abundantly clear this week.

He also had a message for people around college football. Not enough people are talking about Brown.

Brown is in the midst of another impressive season for Penn State, totaling 55 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions through 10 games. But it’s what Brown does away from the box score that stands out, Franklin said.

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“I’ve said this before. I don’t think he’s getting enough attention,” Franklin said. “I don’t think enough people are talking about him when it comes to college football awards, when it comes to the NFL. His name should be all over the place. He plays his tail off. He makes his teammates better, he’s able to impact the game both in the run game and in the pass game. He’s a very well-rounded football player, and he’s been a phenomenal leader for us.

“A kid out of Trenton, New Jersey, went to Lackawonna Junior College, he got up and did his share Friday night at the hotel with the team. Just did a phenomenal job. He’s always got a smile on his face, he’s truly appreciative of this opportunity at Penn State, he’s got a really good way of being a great teammate to the guys in the locker room. But he also really understands how to interact with coaches and have a positive, healthy relationship with the coaches. He’s been phenomenal. I think him and P.J. [Mustipher] have been two of the better leaders that we’ve had in our program.”

James Franklin addresses how to offset absence of Joey Porter Jr.

Penn State managed the absence of Joey Porter Jr. spectacularly last weekend, with the star cornerback sidelined due to appendicitis prior to a game against Maryland.

The Nittany Lions beat the Terrapins 30-0, allowing just 74 yards passing in the contest. So coach James Franklin isn’t planning on any real changes defensively this week in the event Porter still isn’t back for a road trip to Rutgers.

“No, and I think last week was a really good example of that,” Franklin said. “We played a team that has traditionally thrown the ball really well. Explosive throws, high-percentage throws, they’ve been really difficult to deal with.”