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Penn State

'If they can’t change their big-game problems with this group, it’s not happening,' and more on Penn State from Athlon's coaches survey

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•05/23/25•

GregPickel

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Penn State head coach James Franklin. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Athlon Sports’ annual survey of anonymous coach quotes is out. And, while it shouldn’t be a surprise considering Penn State is viewed as one of the nation’s best teams entering the 2025 season, the quotes are almost entirely complimentary of head coach James Franklin’s program. But, outside expectations for the team are also clear because of that fact.

“This is the best roster in [James] Franklin’s time there, and they’re probably a favorite to win the league entering the season,” one unnamed coach told Athlon.

The roster is veteran-heavy which is why it is being praised both on background and on the record nationally. Senior quarterback Drew Allar is among the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy, senior running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen form the best running backs duo in the country, and defenders like cornerback AJ Harris and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton are seen as potential first-round NFL Draft picks. That’s not to mention the newcomers, a couple of which were praised by the coaches who were quoted, as well.

“[Jim] Knowles is a smart addition; he’s going to make some of those guys standout players,” one coach said, speaking, of course, about the Lions’ new defensive coordinator.

Added a different anonymous coach:

“The Troy receiver [Devonte Ross] gives them some additional speed and opens them up.”

Ross is one of three new receivers in third-year position coach Marques Hagans’ room. He’s joined by fellow January enrollee Kyron Hudson, who came from USC, and spring transfer portal addition Trebor Pena. He was a second-team All-ACC selection at Syracuse.

There’s no hiding how big this season is for James Franklin and Penn State

That, of course, is the other reality found in the list of quotes from Athlon. And it comes as no surprise. Penn State is following a blueprint set by Big Ten peers Michigan and Ohio State. Both schools turned high roster retention offseasons, some transfer portal wins, and top coaching staffs into national titles in 2023 and 2024. The Lions will now be held to the same standard. Will they also reach the mountaintop of college football? Time will tell. But, it goes without saying that the 2025 season, and Franklin’s legacy, will be impacted by where the team finishes this year.

“This is the season James Franklin’s entire coaching career could be judged by,” one unnamed coach told Athlon. “If they can’t change their big-game problems with this group, it’s not happening.”

You can read the full list of quotes about Penn State and other Big Ten programs here.

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