Four Friday Penn State thoughts: Is coordinator hire coming today? Final visit weekend of the year is here, more

The countdown is on to both the early signing period and the Outback Bowl for the Penn State football program.

Is today the day that the search for a defensive coordinator ends?

All of those topics and more are covered in today’s four Friday thoughts. Things change quickly this time of year, so be sure to check out our homepage at BlueWhiteIllustrated.com and also The Lions Den forum for the latest news, notes, conversations, and more.

1. Will Penn State hire a defensive coordinator today?

The BWI Penn State defensive coordinator hot board is down a candidate after Jim Knowles moved from Oklahoma State to Ohio State earlier this week.

Many candidates remain, however. The list includes Texas A&M defensive line coach and Penn State alum Elijah Robinson plus co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter, among others.

Is James Franklin ready to announce someone as Brent Pry’s replacement?

One final visit and travel weekend remains on the 2021 recruiting calendar (more on that below). Thus, it would behoove Franklin and his staff to make their pick known if they are ready to. That would allow the new play-caller to spend a couple of days visiting with recruits at their homes on Friday or Saturday or on campus all weekend.

Official word does not have to come today, of course. Franklin worked through the 2017 early signing period without an offensive coordinator with no ill effects in terms of decommitments, after all. But, it will be something to watch from sunrise to sunset on this second Friday of December.

2. What will happen with the trio of big names at St. Frances?

There are currently two uncommitted players at Baltimore, Md., St. Frances. Linebacker Jaishawn Barham is scheduled to make an announcement on Satuday. Penn State is a finalist along with South Carolina, Maryland, and Oklahoma. He is likely to end up elsewhere but it’s been a recruitment that could end with any outcome. Four-star end Derrick Moore, meanwhile, is a former Sooners commit who is now assessing his options. Many are in play after he opened his recruitment earlier this month.

Then, there is Andre Roye. The three-star offensive lineman committed to Penn State in September, somewhat out of the blue, even though the Lions were long seen as a favorite. There has been little drama since. But, USC and new coach Lincoln Riley extended an offer earlier this week. Will the Trojans be able to steal him late?

All three figure to be big-time players at the next level. But, with five days to go until the first day 2022 prospects can sign, little is certain about where any of them will end up.

3. The final recruiting travel weekend is here

Penn State coaches can be on the road through Saturday. Recruits can wrap up visits through Sunday. Then, all travel for everyone is over until Jan. 14, 2022.

The Lions will host prospects this weekend. If a coordinator is named, perhaps an uncommitted visitor will pop up. However, committed prospects are all that is expected for now. Our recruiting insider, Ryan Snyder, will post updates inside the Lions Den if anything changes. But, the key is that, despite a big change and many rumors since the regular season ended, the class is so far, so good, outside of the Roye note above.

4. What else should Penn State fans be watching for?

–The working assumption is that Anthony Poindexter will call plays on defense in the bowl game. But, no official announcement has been made yet.

–We mentioned above that a defensive coordinator hire could happen soon. But, will any other staff movement follow it? This has been one of the craziest coaching carousels in the modern college football era. So, nothing should be surprising or considered to be off the table.

–Arkansas star receiver Treylon Burks has already opted out of the Outback Bowl. If any Penn State players are going to do the same, those announcements will liely come early in bowl week at the earliest. Perhaps one or two will trickle out before the team arrives in Tamps, but history tells us they’ll be kept under wraps as long as possible.

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