Penn State football starts spring practice today; here's what to look forward to on a busy Monday
The countdown is over, Penn State fans: Spring practice is here.
Head coach James Franklin and his staff will lead the Nittany Lions onto the field for the first time in 2022 later today for their first set of drills since the 2021 season ended. Thirteen more will follow today’s on-field work over the next month, and it will all culminate with the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on April 23.
A busy Monday is on deck, and it will bring plenty of news to those who love the Lions. Here’s everything you need to know so that you can follow the updates as they happen.
What will James Franklin have to say?
Franklin will hold his eighth spring news conference in nine years at Noon ET today.
The leader of the Nittany Lions last spoke with reporters back in early February after finalizing the Class of 2022. Among the many things he is sure to be asked is a question about how some of the players in that signing group look after winter workouts. Nine of the signees are on campus. We’ve heard plenty about how back Nicholas Singleton and Zane Durant are turning heads. Is anyone else?
From there, Franklin is sure to discuss Sandy Barbour’s surprise retirement announcement. What he has to say about that will be interesting. Any comments he makes about being involved in the search process will be notable as well.
Beyond that, there will be on-field matters to address, of course. Penn State is fairly light on numbers at a few positions as spring begins. Will that cause any position group shuffling, either for the short or long term?
The obvious questions will be asked, as well. Without a doubt, we’ll hear about the quarterback situation, who performed well in winter workouts, what progress the staff made on improving the offense since the last season ended, and how Manny Diaz is going to attack things in his first year with the program.
Stick with BWI for updates all afternoon long.
We’ll hear from Barbour, too
Barbour is also scheduled to speak to reporters on Monday. She’ll be available at 3 p.m. to make her first public comments since setting a timeline to retire this summer.
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The news certainly caught many off guard. Barbour hardly sounded like someone ready to retire when she spoke to reporters before the Outback Bowl in Tampa. However, we’re beyond that point, as the decision has been made. The key question is: Why now?
Barbour will be asked to address that, how she’ll help in the transition process, and what she thinks the Lions need in their next athletic department leader.
Penn State will open practice, as well
Finally, you’ll want to check out the premium Lions Den forum after dinner time on Monday night, as we’ll have our full team on hand for the first open practice of the spring. You can expect news and notes about how things look, whose lining up at what spots, and much more.
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