James Franklin on plan for redshirting freshmen: 'Nothing has changed'

Four games into the 2023 college football season, the Penn State Nittany Lions and their head coach, James Franklin, are undefeated, sitting at 4-0. But, with four games already played, that could potentially change the availability for some of the Nittany Lions’ younger players.

The change to the NCAA’s redshirt policy has impacted how some head coaches are utilizing their players this season. But, according to Franklin, it hasn’t changed his initial plan from the beginning of the season.

“No, nothing has changed,” said Franklin. “I mean, we have the guys that we have as green that we’re gonna play. And (for) those guys, the model hasn’t changed. We’re gonna continue to play those guys. And I think the guys that we would characterize as yellows, as of right now, those guys are staying yellow. Unless, we get some bumps and bruises that we have to change their status.

“I think we’re trying to be as strategic as we can. From all over to play early and then maybe hold and sit, save some games for late in the season. And the new rule, now, you get all of the postseason.”

Franklin previously broached this topic in August before the start of the 2023 season, outlining his stands on which freshmen would see ample playing time this season. It is clear from his statement above that things are going as planned, and there is no real need for him to utilize more of his young talent on the roster than needed.

Franklin shares Penn State practiced to prepare for Northwestern’s crowd

The Penn State White Out is one of the best atmospheres in all of college football. Now, the Nittany Lions are getting ready to go from that atmosphere in Happy Valley to a road test against Northwestern. To get ready for that atmosphere, head coach James Franklin is taking a unique approach in practice.

It starts, for Franklin, with being honest about the atmosphere in Evanston. It won’t be nearly as loud as it normally is for Penn State. So, to get ready, Franklin turned the music off at practice.

“I think just being honest, just being very honest about what it’s going to be like,” James Franklin said. “These guys are 2-0 at home. You look at Northwestern. They’ve typically had a good home record. Why? Because it can be challenging to play there. They’re used to the environment. Other people may not be. It’s going to be very different than what we played in last week.”