James Franklin updates DL absence, QB situation: Notebook

Penn State head coach James Franklin returned to the podium at Beaver Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Joining reporters for his weekly press conference, Franklin was in good spirits throughout the session.

Riding a 4-0 start to the 2022 campaign, with the resumption of Big Ten play and Northwestern up next, Franklin tackled a variety of topics.

Here’s a look at the news, notes, and observations to emerge from the press conference:

Complete James Franklin Tuesday press conference

James Franklin press conference notebook

Reading between the lines on Smith Vilbert

Asked directly about defensive end Smith Vilbert, who Franklin listed as one of the scout team players of the week in his opening comments, Franklin offered that the veteran Nittany Lion is “not available.”

The status quo for Vilbert this season, appearing at practices and with the team at home games, but not dressing for games, Franklin’s next comments should offer some insight into what to expect from Vilbert moving forward.

Noting that he wants to have a conversation with Vilbert, Franklin set the table for news. 

“Like we talk about all the time, 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,” Franklin said. “I’ve 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.”

This isn’t the first time Franklin has used this language discussing a player who missed the duration of a season. Last year, in late September, Franklin said that Hakeem Beamon would be “unavailable” for the week and the season.

And, toward the end of the 2020 season, Franklin said this of an injured Charlie Katshir.

“With Charlie, we typically don’t talk about injuries unless they’re season-ending injuries, and Charlie had a season-ending injury. So that’s why you haven’t seen him and that’s why he hasn’t been available,” Franklin said in December 2020. “Typically, I like to have a conversation with Charlie about that and make sure we’re all on the same page, but with you asking me the question, I didn’t want to not answer it.”

Franklin concluded by saying that now that the question has specifically been asked, he would revisit the topic with reporters.

Reading between the lines, Franklin will soon provide an update on Vilbert’s status for the rest of the season. Coziah Izzard, who has also practiced but has missed every game, was not asked about directly.

Hunter Nourzad’s status

Appearing extensively in Penn State’s first two games against Purdue and Ohio, then briefly at Auburn, grad transfer interior offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad dressed and warmed up for the Central Michigan game last weekend. He did not play, however.

Asked about his status on Tuesday, Franklin offered some insight into Nourzad’s situation. Sustaining some “bumps and bruises,” Nourzad was kept out to “be able to get him back” for this week’s game.

Pleased with the performance of his replacement, J.B. Nelson, who graded out as one of Penn State’s best pass-blocking offensive linemen in 27 reps on Saturday, Franklin said they’d “try to keep the plan the same if possible” for Nourzad.

“He could have played. But it made a whole lot more sense for us and for him to try to hold him if we could. And then J.B. practiced and played so well that it was the right decision,” Franklin said. “We’ll see how this week goes. We’re hoping to have him back. If we don’t, then we feel confident that J.B. will be able to go in and do the job. But that’s kind of how that’s going to play out each week in a perfect world.”

Special teams improvements

Asked about Barney Amor’s contribution to Penn State’s success this season, Franklin offered a lengthy response regarding all that makes Amor unique and valued within the program. 

It has beenwWell-warranted given Amor’s performance through the first four weeks of the season. But, Franklin provided another window into his mindset regarding Penn State’s special teams performances this year.

Already having touched on special teams as an obvious area of growth in his opening comments, stating that “attention to detail, kick locations, protection, those types of things” were all important, Franklin circled back to the topic at the end of his answer about Amor. 

“We’ve got to be better in kickoff and we’ve got to be better in field goal,” Franklin said. “That’s coaching, that’s protection, that’s production in those units, as well.”

Penn State’s quarterback position

Franklin was asked three questions about Penn State’s quarterback position on Tuesday. Two were about Drew Allar and the push to get him reps in games so far this season. The other had to do with Sean Clifford and his performance through the first third of the season.

Cutting through the lengthy answers, the bottom line here from Franklin is that he believes Clifford’s biggest improvement this season is being more even-keeled and has largely eliminated some of the backbreaking plays that have plagued him in the past.

“You look at his numbers right now, he’s responsible for 12 total touchdowns and one turnover. 64 percent completion percentage, and I think that could even be better. Almost 1,000 yards, 39 points, and most importantly, 1-0 each week,” Franklin said. “He’s doing a great job, sixth-year quarterback. He’s done a lot for Penn State. I’ve got a ton of respect for him and what he’s done for this university and what he’s done for the football program. And on top of that, he always has represented us the right way off the field.”  

Allar, meanwhile, has had an opportunity to get into every game this season. Invaluable to his development, it has in large part thanks to the positions Clifford, the offense, and Penn State’s defense have put the team in games this season. 

Stressing that he’d like to again get Allar time early on Saturday against Northwestern, but that there hadn’t yet been conversations among the coaching staff or players as to what that might look like, Franklin inferred that getting the win supersedes everything else.