Everything Penn State coach James Franklin said during Big Ten Network's preseason camp special

After speaking with reporters for more than half an hour at the team’s local media day event back on Saturday, Penn State head coach James Franklin was back behind a microphone on Tuesday night. This time, the leader of the Lions’ audience was the Big Ten Network cast of Dave Revsine, Jake Butt, and Gerry DiNardo. The trio was in town to film an hour-long preseason camp special as they continue touring confernece campuses as kickoff approaches. The first question focused on what he’s told his team about heightened external expectations for his program. The Lions are No. 1 in Cleveland.com’s preseason Big Ten rankings and No. 3 in the first USA Today Coaches poll for the 2025 season.

“Not a whole lot,” Franklin said. “We’ve talked about it a little bit. And you know, I think there’s a sense of appreciation that we’ve earned that based on all the hard work the guys have put in, and the guys that decided to come back, and we love that there’s excitement about Penn State, not only in the Big Ten; I would have, in the past, said footprint, but the footprint now goes coast to coast, so it’s a little bit different.

“So I think there’s excitement as a lot of people are talking about Penn State nationally. But at the end of the day, preseason polls mean absolutely nothing. But, they’re good things for you guys to talk about. We got to make sure that we’re doing everything we possibly can to build the program and the team for this year, day by day.”

More: Jim Knowles’ answers, a ‘clear upgrade’ at receiver, and more Penn State takeaways from BTN’s camp special

The next question asked Franklin to reflect on his first 11 years at Penn State and what he’s most proud of as he prepares for his 12th season as a Nittany Lion.

“I’m proud of it, all right? And what I mean by that is, you guys know, when we got to Penn State, it looked a little bit different, obviously,” Franklin said. “One of the best programs historically. But, there was a rough patch. And you know, to think about what we’ve been able to do, the consistency that we’ve been able to do, the number of players that have gone on and done special things, and then obviously the excitement for this season.

“So I’m just, I’m really proud of it all. The coaching staff we’ve put together, how the facilities have changed since we’ve arrived, all of it. Because in today’s college football, it all matters.”

We’ve rounded up the rest of Franklin’s comments below.

How does having such a veteran-laden team impact how Penn State is approaching preseason camp in 2025?

“Well, we’re just further ahead,” Franklin said. “The combination of that, but also the rule changes, right? You’re able to do more in the summer. In the old days, it had to be completely player led. You weren’t able to be involved with them as much. So the fact that we’re older, veteran, experienced guys, and then also, how do you maximize the summer? And it’s a fine line. Because you want to make sure the coaches get some time off. But, they’re also kind of conflicted, because they want to be here to make sure that we’re getting all the installs and where we need to be.

“So, specifically on offense and special teams, we’re way ahead. Defensively, can’t describe it the same way, obviously, with a new defense coordinator in Coach [Jim] Knowles. But once again, installing your defense in today’s college football with what you’re able to do in the summer and the meetings and things like that allows you to get further ahead.”

In what ways can the defense make strides to catch up to the offense?

“Well, it’s a fine line, right? Because part of that I control in terms of, what do we install each day for both sides to the ball to get better?Andy wants to be on trigonometry while Jim’s still installing geometry,” Franklin said. “[It’s] making sure that both sides are getting the ball. But I think, you know, we’re multiple on offense, which is really good for our defense, creates challenges and vice versa. So we just want to make sure that we’re doing a great job of that, so that defensively, we go into the season feeling like we’re able to play high level football, championship level football, and then the next phase is when we get into conference play, have we been able to take a significant step from game one.”

What are the areas for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar to grow in if he wants to be a top 10 NFL Draft pick?

“Well, I want him to win a Big Ten championship,” Franklin said. “I want him to have a chance to win at the very highest level in college football, national championship, and then be a top 10 pick, all those things combined, and even the first pick, right? And we talk about it all the time: With team success comes individual recognition. But to your point, I think last year, he changed his body significantly, which allowed him to be more athletic. Extend plays, [and] make them big time throws.

“So it’s not really, like, one glaring area that I feel like he needs to get better. It’s just continually growing in every area. And they’re now, they’re smaller steps, but they still add up and they matter. So from a leadership standpoint, from a body composition standpoint, from an athleticism standpoint, from an accuracy standpoint, from a decision making standpoint, and then also year two in the offense for a quarterback, that’s probably the most significant thing.”

What are the one or two position groups Franklin would like to see make progress during preseason camp?

“Well, obviously, a big story line last year was the wide receiver position and not enough production, specifically, in what people would term big games,” Franklin said. “So that has been a huge emphasis all summer, really, since the season ended, and that’s been good so far, going out and getting three guys that have proven production, two of them specifically at this level, but then also some young guys that we’re really excited about. So the room has been elevated based on that, and that’s going to be important for us moving forward.

“And then also some depth, right? We have some really good, high-level players. But in today’s college football, you better have a legitimate three-deep at every position. We played the longest season in the history of Penn State football last year, and to win at the very, very highest level, you’re going to have that. So, depth. The twos in the threes, you know, we’re all over those guys, making sure that they’re ready to contribute and help us win games.”

What are his impressions after watching Jim Knowles in action after making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football?

“Well, I’m more concerned, rather than his pay, than his resume, right? The guy has had championship level defenses everywhere he’s been,” Franklin said. “When you’re going out to hire a defense coordinator, you could make the argument that [Knowles is] the number one defensive coordinator in college football, most respected defense coordinator in college football. So being able to bring him in, he’s just done a phenomenal job. I think there’s also the aspect that every time he’s done this, whether it’s been Duke, whether it’s been Oklahoma State, whether it’s been Ohio State, he’s gotten better at his process as well we all do, right?

“Every time you install a defense, you get better at tweaking and how you can speed up that maturation process. And, he’s done a really good job. Our staff as well on the defensive side of the ball, embracing it. Our players too. Ton of answers. Last two defensive coordinators, we played a ton of man coverage, which was really important, but I think Jim’s helping us in those one or two games a year where we got to have a little bit more answers, and this defense provides it.”