Penn State coach James Franklin talks opt-outs, Theo Johnson playing in Peach Bowl
STATE COLLEGE — Two Penn State players have announced their plans for the postseason so far. Defensive end Chop Robinson has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and will not play in the Peach Bowl against No. 11 Ole Miss. But, the No. 10 Nittany Lions will have tight end Theo Johnson in uniform. He, too, has declared that he will be leaving for the next level after the Dec. 30 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, but before he does so, he’ll suit up one final time in the blue and white.
“Thank you to Coach Franklin, Coach Howle, the coaches, players, staff and the fans for making my time at Penn State an unforgettable experience,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “After a lot of thought and prayer, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. I cannot wait to be with my Penn State Football family one last time when we compete at the Peach Bowl.”
On Monday, at a news conference that saw Penn State formally accept its Peach Bowl invitation, Lions coach James Franklin was asked about Johnson’s decision and also discussed opt-outs in general as the team continues to practice ahead of the final game of the 2023 season.
Penn State coach James Franklin talks opt outs, Theo Johnson playing in Peach Bowl
Franklin was direct and transparent when asked about opt outs. Obviously, he would prefer that Penn State not have any, but he noted, too, that they do happen. He also discussed the idea of players being able to stay with their team but also have their well-being looked out for.
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“I think Theo and his family know that we are going to do what’s best for Theo and be supportive of that,” Franklin said. “But I also think there’s a balance where you can do both. Finish with your teammates, finish what you start, and finish the season and do it the right way. I think it’s more challenging than it’s ever been before. These guys are hearing from people in every direction and being pulled in 1,000 different directions. I think it’s harder than it’s ever been. But Theo’s a great example of a number of guys that we’ve had that have been in similar positions.
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“We’re going to work with these guys as well, and we’ve done that really since I’ve been here. I remember we had a specific plan for Saquon Barkley, who was going to be maybe the number one pick in the draft and ended up falling all the way to number two. But there was conversations with Saquon and his family about how we were going to manage the practices, how we were going to manage the game, and all those types of things. And I think what you’d like to do in a lot of ways is, I’m still a big believer that a game like this, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and against this type of opponent, Ole Miss and what Lane [Kiffin] has built there, these games are about creating value for the student-athletes.
“And, I still believe that this game, for most of them, creates an opportunity. Obviously, for us to finish this thing as a family and as a team, represent Penn State one more time, but also create more value for themselves. You go out and have a great Peach Bowl game in that type of venue, in that setting, against this type of opponent on national television, I think it can really help the student-athlete and what they’re trying to do for their future in the NFL as well. That has to be factored into all of this.”
