James Franklin walks away during presser mid-question on Jameial Lyons, Kaveion Keys

As James Franklin got ready to meet with reporters for his regular press conference on Wednesday, a Penn State spokesperson said the coach wouldn’t comment on the felony charges against Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys. But when questions were asked about both players, Franklin briefly walked out before returning to the microphones.

Lyons and Keys are both facing criminal charges related to an incident that occurred last July, according to BWI’s Greg Pickel. Lyons is facing charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault without consent, indecent assault, voluntary deviant sexual intercourse and invasion of privacy. The charges against Keys include rape, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault.

Penn State said Franklin wouldn’t comment on the situation and a spokesperson said the communications office would handle any statements. Franklin quickly faced a question about when he knew of the incident involving Lyons and Keys, and he walked away. He came back after the spokesperson reiterated Franklin wouldn’t comment and the focus would be on Saturday’s game against Wisconsin.

A Penn State spokesman ahead of James Franklin’s post-practice media session says the head coach will have no comment on Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys. Both former players face felonies including rape.

Qs about both have since been asked and James Franklin will not answer. pic.twitter.com/qfD83jTzWy

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 23, 2024

Penn State announced both players were on “indefinite suspension” on July 31 and they were no longer with the program Aug. 3. The university released a statement Tuesday acknowledging the charges and confirmed neither player is enrolled anymore.

“We are aware of the serious charges against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the University,” the statement read. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misconduct very seriously and investigates any and all reports.”

Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys will be arraigned on Oct 23, according to the docket. Each will have a preliminary hearing set for the morning of Oct. 30.

Lyons appeared in eight games last season at Penn State, totaling six tackles during that time, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The expectation is he’ll step up to provide depth behind Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton, Bauer wrote.

As for Keys, he kept a redshirt year last season. He had one tackle in two games of work for Penn State and is set to be another depth piece for Tom Allen’s defense.