Live updates: James Franklin post-scrimmage press conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin is meeting with the media following his program’s annual Blue-White Game scrimmage. A 27-0 shutout for the White team, the Nittany Lions wrap their spring practices and turn the corner into the summer months with its conclusion.

Now, Franklin takes on the opportunity to sum it all up as a critical stretch for the program arrives.

Which players stood out on the afternoon? What about some of the absences and injuries? Follow along as Franklin takes questions from reporters in his post-scrimmage press conference with reporters, here:

James Franklin post-scrimmage press conference

(Page does not automatically refresh. Paraphrased answers will be presented in reverse chronological order. Press conference has ended at 4:35 p.m.)

Questions in the room

On summer scouts with very new schedule:

Is a person focused on the present. But does think there is an aspect to look at these things and have understanding and awareness. But challenge is, so much college coaching turnover to make predictions and get an idea at this time of year, who and what you’re going to face. Not only that, but the roster has so much turnover. So will do normal four-game studies. Some games on schedule with teams not as familiar, will do some of that looking ahead. But if you’re not careful, will spend so much time chasing ghosts for week eight that you mess up week one. 

Is very aware of what they need to do. But there are a lot of programs thqat find ways to win games like that and lose games they’re not supposed to. A balance of the respect to pay to both, and consistency week in and week out, and then cherry on top of winning a couple you’re not favored in. Will probably keep approach similar to the past. But will do some digging on travel plans. West coast travel a big part of their studies. Then see who these programs have been.

Where to look in the portal: 

For him, that’s what these individual meetings are about. Meetings with position coaches. Meetings with him. Have had some conversations already. But end of the day, you don’t know until it happens. Some guys honest and transparent, and Penn State the same with them.

Still a big believer in transformational relationships and college football being transformational. Worried college football is more transactional. And that has to be in both directions. Talks to guys about it all the time. 99 percent of the time, what is good for individual is good for the team. Can be honest with players. Maybe not in the short term, on player schedule and mind, but more times than not it is. Includes leadership council in that process. have them take ownership in those decisions and be comfortable.

For him to make best decisions, has to hear from everyone. Players, staff. That includes decisions like this. Challenging time in college football and the impact it has on your roster.

Kaytron and Nick:

Nick made a decision to not have him out there. Kaytron had bumps and bruises that didn’t allow him to go. Nothing that’s a problem for this summer or next year. But not a surprise. 

Nick got a little banged up in practice this week, but was going to modify him anyway. Guys that have established themselves, especially when needing to find out third back for next year, that’s the focus. Strategic about that. Even when they take reps, they’re modified to get other guys reps.

Drew Shelton didn’t go this spring. That was really valuable for Rucci and J’Ven. Some is strategic and some is just how they played out.

Quinton Martin:

He had some bumps and bruises and missed a decent abmount of time this spring. Doesn’t have a true evaluation. Is an awesome kid and has learned offense well. Has great vision. He has a lot of work to do and will do it to compete to be in that rotation. Cam Wallace had a good spring too. But that’s what these guys have to understand is the number one ability in football is availability. Would have liked to see more out of him, but foundation laid to allow him to make progress this summer and go into training camp to compete legitimately.

Receivers:

All the faith in the world in them for talent and ability. Need to take the next step. Good thing is you can improve a lot in passing game offensively and defensively over the summer. Have the talent in the room. Reality is, need to take the next step and do it consistently, and do it against who is on the schedule. All the guys in the locker room are there for a reason. Have belief in them. Having a healthy Trey back is big too.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith:

Happy to talk about any of the guys that were here and played today and are in the locker room. “Besides that, I don’t have a lot to tell you.”

Opening statement

Too many presnap penalties on offense. Wasn’t extremely loud, but did no noise in spring ball and some young players affected by that.

Amin Vanover is a cool story and will have a huge year. He’s done it the right way. Journey challenging at times, and he’s really stuck it out. Just gotten better and better. Going to have a really big year. Really proud of Amin.

Jameial Lyons flashed today. Will continue to see that.

Had 15 physical, competitive practices. Today was good. Got a bunch of situations covered. At the end of the game, on the headset treating two-minute situation like they needed points. 

Able to stay healthy today. Didn’t start fast enough on offense. Start with a true freshman OL jumping offsides. Need rhythm to get ahead of the sticks. Able to use ipads today. It wasn’t perfect but there was value in that. Had headsets today, two on offense, one on defense. Too many third-and-longs and got off schedule. But overall, very good.

Laid a strong foundation. Will have all day Monday, Tuesday, and half of Wednesday with position coach meetings. Has half-hour meetings with every player the next three weeks as a head coach. Could be an interesting couple of weeks for everyone in college football. But is pleased. Have some work to do between now and summer camp.

James Franklin sums up spring competitiveness

This week, Franklin offered a first-hand account of the competitiveness he’s seen in the program this spring.

“I think it’s been really good. Having some fresh eyes come into the building in Tom Allen, and Andy Kotelnicki, and also Justin Lustig, the three coordinators,” Franklin said on his weekly radio show. “I think it’s been pretty cool to listen to their perspective on how hard our guys practice, how competitive they are day in and day out and to be able to sustain it over 15 practices. And I think we have a group of guys that have really laid the foundation this spring, and I think summer camp is gonna be very, very interesting.

“I thought this spring was very productive, but I’m really excited about fall camp considering again, new offense, defense, and special teams. When I say new, just new leadership and some tweaks to the things that we’ve already been doing. So to really see them play a lot faster in training camp, after they know these schemes inside and out, is gonna be fun. But I thought the spring, we got a ton out of it.”