James Franklin provides update on status of Smith Vilbert
With Penn State defensive lineman Smith Vilbert not playing thus far for Penn State over the course of the 2022 season, James Franklin has provided an update on his athlete’s status.
According to Franklin, Nittany Lions faithful won’t see Vilbert on the field this weekend, or at all over the remainder of the season.
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“I appreciate you asking, Smith will not be available this week. Will not be available this season,” stated Franklin.”
Before last week’s game, Franklin tried to provide an update while maintaining Vilbert’s privacy, but now he’s told the media the defensive lineman won’t join Penn State’s lineup.
“Just not available,” Franklin said last week, speaking of Vilbert. “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.
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“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.”
Entering the 2022 season, Penn State had high hopes for the defensive end, as he ended the 2021 season with a three-sack performance in the Outback Bowl. Now, the fourth-year defender’s status for the remainder of the season has seemingly been revealed, and it’s ever-so disappointing.
Nevertheless, Penn State has enjoyed immense success in 2022, elevating to No. 10 in the nation at the moment. While the Nittany Lions will enjoy a bye week this weekend, a matchup with No. 4 Michigan looms large, and it’ll likely go a long way to deciding the Big Ten.
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this article.