Penn State offense, defense, and special teams all have specific objectives this spring; what are they?
Penn State spring practice is underway. It’s safe to say that head coach James Franklin, his staff, and their players are excited to be back on the field with pads on and whistles blowing as on-field prep begins for the 2023 season.
“Excited about the spring,” Franklin said. “[Tuesday] will be our first day to get out there and be flying around and get some work done and get some evaluations.”
There are plenty of things for the Lions to do. Position battles are underway at quarterback, receiver, along the offensive line, in the backfield for the third-string job, and tight end for reserve roles. On defense, new corners and safeties must be picked in addition to a starting defensive tackle. And, the special teams are awash with choices to make, including at kicker, punter, and long snapper.
Besides those important items, each Penn State unit also has specific things it wants to instill in its players between now and the end of the Blue-White game on April 15. What are they? Let’s dive in.
What does Penn State want to accomplish on offense?
Mike Yurcich enters year three as the Nittany Lions’ play caller on offense. He will preside over a competition for the starting quarterback job for the first time since arriving here. He is also welcoming new receivers coach Marques Hagans into the fold. What else is on his to-do list this spring?
“Talking to Coach [Mike] Yurcich, our spring objectives: improving the run game, increase our mental and physical toughness, improve our execution and communication, improve ball security, improve our explosiveness in the run and pass game,” Franklin said. “Then we’ve got to identify leaders and empower them in the leadership positions.”
Leaders are indeed needed now that Sean Clifford, Juice Scruggs, and Mitchell Tinsley all moved on. The rest of the rundown is fairly standard, yet all very important for Penn State to reach its peak in 2023.
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The Lions have goals on defense, too
Manny Diaz begins his second season of overseeing the Penn State defense. He is breaking in Deion Barnes as the program’s new defensive line coach. Otherwise, his staff returns in tact, and many key contributors are back, as well.
“Defensively with Manny, [we want to] reestablish our physical, mental, [and] emotional toughness, create habits to play with relentless effort, master leverage and tackling systems, create havoc with all of the havoc plays — tackles for loss, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles, and interceptions,” Franklin said.
“Develop fundamentals and technique. Identify leaders and empower them. And then, obviously, figure out really in all three phases, but figure out who our 11 best players are and then how do we create as much depth as we possibly can behind them.”
Special teams have work to do
As noted above, Penn State needs a new starter at place kicker, kickoff specialist, punt returner, long snapper, and punter. It gives plenty for second-year coordinator Stacy Collins to focus on. What else will he be tasked with?
“On special teams, [we want to] continue to develop fundamentals and techniques for our special teams units,” Franklin said. “[We want to] develop and identify top special teams personnel, our two-deep, again for all units. Identify leaders and empower them in leadership positions. And, then cultivate special teams really kind of throughout our entire organization.”
