Everything Penn State coach James Franklin said at his final news conference before Maryland

Penn State coach James Franklin spent some of his Thanksgiving Eve overseeing practice. Then, he held his final news conference of Maryland week on Wednesday night. The first question he fielded focused on the young defensive tackles who will need to step up to replace the reps lost by Alonzo Ford, who is dealing with a long-term injury.

“I would say Ty Blanding and Xavier [Gilliam] are kind of the next two that we’re letting compete this week, to see who’s going to be the next guy,” Franklin said.. “But both are going to have to be ready to play. You know, both have put on significant amount of size since they’ve been here. I think they both showed up probably in the 265 to 270 [pounds] range. Xavier is probably 303-304, somewhere in that range. And Blanding is like 295. So, both have put on enough size to be able to get in and play.

“They’re learning every single day. I know the vets have done a really good job with them all year, but even more so this week. It’ll be really good opportunity for them, and I think they’re ready. But it’s it’s one thing to do it in practice, it’s another thing to do it in games. So Xavier got a little bit of time. One game as a d-end, which wasn’t ideal, but both have played a little bit. So this will be an important step for both.”

More: Penn State practice notes: Offense | Defense

The next question focused on how Gilliam has impressed the staff as a big and strong athlete since arriving on campus.

“He is a big, strong, powerful guy,” Franklin said. “The thing that jumps out to me is, I think you guys know when we recruited him, one of the ways we evaluated him early on was as a basketball player. And then this summer, when the freshmen show up, I had them all to my house, and he was by far the most impressive guy out on the basketball court. His movements, his leaping ability, how explosive he was. And again, I’m basing that on a guy who’s 275 pounds doing it.

“But just just an impressive, big, powerful athlete. The time that he spent on campus, he doesn’t look like a true freshman. So we were able to redshirt him, which is nice. But again, we need those guys ready to go.”

Read everything else the Penn State coach had to say and watch video of his news conference below.

Can players learn to be unselfish and put the team first, or is it a trait they come with?

“When I answer it, like I do with my wife, a lot of times, she asks me questions like that, and I just say yes to both. I honestly believe it’s a little bit both,” Franklin said. “Obviously, if you got a guy and that’s not how he’s wired, you’re not going to be able to instill that at this stage of their life, in my opinion. So it’s got to be a part of who they are. And then you build on it, right? You build on it. You talk about the importance of it. The vets kind of teach it. You use examples in the program of whereyou see it. I do think it is teachable, but it’s got to also be a part of your DNA and how you’re raised, too. So we talk about it a lot. We spend a lot of time on it.

“This is the ultimate team game. You’re talking about 11 guys on the field, and certain positions more than others, like the o-line, is obviously a very, very unselfish position. So we spent a ton of time talking about the importance of sacrificing for the team, being a member of the team, being a teammate. What that means. And I’m a big believer, the more you pour into others and the more you try to help others, it comes back to you tenfold. I think Ty Warren is a great example.”

On Saquon Barkley’s success with the Philadelphia Eagles

“It’s an example of, he’s at a really good place, really well run organization, arguably the best o-line coach in the NFL, behind arguably one of the best offensive lines,” Franklin said. “And we all knew right that, given the opportunity and put in a favorable situation, he’d have a chance to maximize it. I think the other thing with him that the Eagles are learning, and I talked to them about is just, as good of a player, he is just as good, if not a better, teammate. And that’s unusual. So to have that type of guy in your locker room and that type of leader and that type of presence on your team, it’s a force multiplier in a lot of ways.

“So, I’m not surprised. I don’t follow it closely. It’s not like I’ve watched an Eagles game. But I’ve seen highlights. We’ve texted. I know him and Fumi have texted. So not surprised. Proud, happy. And it’s also cool that he’s doing it here, right? I mean, it’d be cool if he was doing it on on the west coast. But, it’s even cooler he’s doing it right here in his backyard. There’s a huge crossover contingent of Penn State fans and Eagles fans, which is cool. I’m just happy for him and the Eagles organization. It’s a win-win for everybody, which is really ultimately what you want.”

Can the Penn State offense function the way it wants to with Nolan Rucci at right tackle?

“I think he’s playing well, and yes, I think the game plan will have to stay the same,” Franklin said. “I guess I wouldn’t describe it the way you have, because I think he’s played in every game. So it’s not like he just got thrusted into this role without playing up to this point. That’s the whole reason why sometimes the coaches get upset, like, I force that, to play guys, even when you maybe don’t necessarily need to. This is the reason why.

“So now that Rucci is in a starting role, and it’s not all new to him. He’s got experience, he’s got confidence. We have confidence in him as well. So nothing will change in terms of what we’re doing. And we have a ton of confidence.”

On the play of Penn State center Nick Dawkins

“He lost about 15 pounds,” Franklin said. “He is a powerful dude. So, like, he didn’t need to be 320, 315 to create the power. He’s in the weight room and his lower half, especially in his legs, he’s a powerful guy. So for us, and I think for him, it’s ‘Ok, how do you maximize your athleticism?’ And at the center position, that is critical. Quickness, footwork, being powerful, being explosive. So he’s got a lot of the things you want. I just think going from 320, to 295 was important. And very similar to how we’ve talked about Drew a lot at the quarterback position. And then I think the other thing is, he’s like a coach on the field. He’s just very, very intelligent, he’s extremely articulate.

“He’s a leader that’s not afraid to speak up. And then, not only from a leadership standpoint, but just from a quarterback of the o-line, being able to take all the calls, get everybody on the same page, does a really good job with all of those things. So, you know, I think we had high expectations coming into the year about how he would play, but I would say he’s he’s probably exceeded those, and he’s playing well.”

How is the Lions’ defense performing from a tackling stand point?

“Good,” Franklin said. “I think at the end of the day, it’s about points and yards, and our defense is one of the top defenses in the country. Now, are there times that we would like to tackle better? Yes. We’re always going to feel that way. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is, are you keeping people from scoring? Or, are you keeping people from yardage, and creating field position for the offense? I think our defense is doing that. I think the thing that I would say we were kind of behind on is turnovers, and we talked a lot about that, the importance of that last week. And then we got two last week. So we’d like to continue building on that.

“We’d like to continue tackling and improve in that area. It’s a little challenging this time of year. There’s some things that we do early in the year that really help with tackling. But as the year goes on, that becomes a little bit harder and harder to do. So we still work at it. Bags, drills, a lot of bag work, a lot of sled work. So we’d like to tackle better. I’d like to tackle better. But ultimately, it’s about it’s about points and it’s about yards, and we’re doing pretty good job.”

Will Penn State freshmen running backs Quinton Martin Jr., and Corey Smith play more this week?

“Well, it really depends, right? I think their development has been really good, and I think each week the staff is getting more and more confident,” Franklin said. “I’d say, you know, Quinton was a little bit ahead, and then Corey has caught up, I think, mainly just based on opportunities. Quinton was a little bit banged up there for a little bit, and then we also tried to limit some of his [reps] based on redshirting. So that thrust Corey into a role, which I think kind of sped up his maturation process.

“But on that same note, we don’t have enough carries to go around for Nick and Katron as it is, which you guys made very obvious after the first half. So, you’re probably not going to see a whole lot of those guys, unless we need to.”

Was Kaytron Allen missing the first half last week a game flow decision?

“Yes,” Franklin said.

On Dvon J-Thomas waiting his turn to be a contributor and leader?

“I don’t know if I would describe it that way, only because you just play so many guys on defense,” Franklin said. “So, he’s been playing for a while, and defensive tackles, you could be a rotational guy and still play a lot. But I get your point. I think the biggest thing with him is, he’s really developed into a leader. And I think the other thing I would say is, and you guys have been around us, He’s very comfortable in his own skin. Very, very charismatic, and I think he’s got a chance to play this game further than Penn State, but I also know, he’s like a textbook, clinic exampe. And Nick Dawkins is the same way. They’re like the mayors of State College. They know everybody, the professors, the owners of the restaurants, the hotels, the bars, the students, with you guys, the donors like those guys are going to be very, very successful. We have a guest coach program with donors and with professors. And by the end of all those weekends, Nick’s like best friends and Dvon’s like best friends with them.

“[Dvon’s] smart, and this Penn State thing is so much more than what you just learned in the classroom and what you do in the field. As you guys know, I’m preaching to the choir, but largest living alumni base, and I think those two guys know every one of them, all 750,000 so there’s a ton of value, and I mean this, you know, the younger players should be taking notes because those guys are like teaching a Masters, Doctorare course on how to maximize the Penn State experience.”