Penn State coach James Franklin post-spring game presser: Live Updates

Penn State head coach James Franklin is addressing the media following his Nittany Lions’ annual Blue-White Game on Saturday afternoon.

A 10-0 win for the Blue team over the White team, what will Franklin have to say about the afternoon and the spring as a whole?

Follow our live updates from the press conference, here, or in The Lions Den:

Penn State coach James Franklin live updates

(Posts will appear in reverse chronological order. Press conference has ended.)

On structuring the teams:

Tried to mix it up this year. Dani is a starter, he was on the other team. Can use a ton of examples. It probably doesn’t look that way when you have certain positions, like the running backs, Nick and Kaytron on one side, then three guys they love and have done a nice job on the other side.

Thought they broke the team up in a way that would be really competitive. Two really good safeties on the blue, two on the white. Defensive ends. Offensive line, never had two OL like that. This year, it was not. In years past, it was ones and twos against everybody else. This was more about making it as competitive as possible. But some positions made it difficult to do that.

On leadership this spring:

The leadership will be different this year. Just had veteran, strong leaders that have been around forever. Multiple year captains. Obviously something to be aware of. But it will be different than last year. Instead of four to six really strong voices in the locker room, may be 12-16 that aren’t as strong as the 4-6, but still the same impact, spread out.

Did name three captains today. Will wait until they get through training camp and then possibly add three more on offense, defense and special teams. But it gives good understanding of who the team sees as leaders now and lean on them through the spring. 

Keaton Ellis on defense, Olu Fashanu on offense, and Dom DeLuca on special teams.

Drew Allar physical skills to make a play vs. consistency:

Can’t throw enough. Need more wideouts to compete at a high level. Need six guys they feel like they can win in the Big Ten with. Feels like they have it on the team, but they need to step up. So whether it’s on air, or against the defense in seven on seven, just can’t happen enough this summer. Have to build that chemistry and do it with multiple guys. Between TEs and WRs, can be pretty effective.

Talking about that third receiver, just like last year, if second best TE is better than third receiver, will be in 12 personnel more.

Transfer portal needs:

In a good place right now, but need more depth and competition at DT. Need same at WR. Thinks by WVU or game four or five, could have six guys they feel good about, but it’s not competitive. Still trying to figure out the third, but needs and wants legitimate competition at every position. And then besides that, won’t turn down a great player at any position. The phones are buzzing. Addressed it with team in the locker room afterward. But those two positions specifically, and then any great player.

Omari Evans:

He showed up and was a track guy and now he’s done a really good job in the weight room. Strong and physical and more confident by the day. They need someone to step up in that third WR role. Last week and a half, moved him into that spot. Today was something to build on, no doubt. He’s got all the tools. But have to grind through it and get him up to speed. Mainly was an athletic QB in high school.

Have the talent currently in the room. Just have to grind through it. Cannot throw enough all summer. WR, QB, TEs. Having Holuba open all summer to be able to throw is invaluable.

Opening statement

Had a great spring. Today was phenomenal. Was worried about the weather but it cleared up. Was awesome all week long. Would have had a lot more people in the stadium were it not for the rain. But great work today, in front of fans, on TV, in a competitive environment. A lot of value in that.

Offensively, it was really good to see young guys step up. Omari really did. They need that. Exciting to see him make some plays out there. Ivey, Saunders, and McClain did some things.

Dani was unblockable out there. Big year coming. KJ Winston flying all over the field. Back in a different place from a depth perspective, pre-COVID. That’s valuable. Still some guys coming in.

Punting, need to be better. Basically punting on air with no rush, should be killing the ball. Have to work on that.

Need to clean up penalty after a touchdown. Should be celebrating a kid, not making him do 50 up-downs on the BTN on the sideline.

Darn good. From everything he saw today, and came out of today healthy. Some guys that weren’t dressed. All guys anticipated to be back. Bumps and bruises and things like that. All expected back and ready to go, just not this spring.