Where does the Penn State quarterback battle stand? James Franklin offers an update

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach James Franklin said before preseason camp started that a quarterback competition would go as long as it needed to before a winner is picked and announced. Six days into August, the battle between sophomores Drew Allar and Beau Pribula continues. The 10th year leader of the Nittany Lions did offer an update on Sunday, though, about how things are going three practices in.

“Drew and Beau obviously in year two, they look like guys that are year two in the same system mentally, physically, and they’ve both gotten stronger, leaner, faster, more confident with their reads, their accuracy, their decision making, and those type of things,” Franklin said. “They’ve been impressive.

“Beau and Drew, they look like guys that are year two and more experienced guys and confident and know how to execute and run the offense. Both of them have the teams respect. We aren’t making any announcements or decisions at any positions at this point. We want to create competition at every position as long as possible.

It was not a surprise that Franklin is not yet ready to name a starter. That isn’t expected to happen until later this month, based on history and also what he suggested back at Big Ten Media Days.

“We’re not going to rush any of these decisions at any of these positions,” Franklin said. “We grade everything in every practice. So all the data will be there. Obviously you’re going to trust your gut and your instincts on those things as well, but you have the data to back it up.

“I think at any of these positions, the sooner, the better. It’s probably magnified at the quarterback position because you don’t rotate and play the same type of way that you do at some other positions.”

Franklin also said first-year passer Jaxon Smolik is standing out.

“Jaxon Smolik has been the surprise of camp so far,” Franklin said. “Specifically in the quarterback room. He’s one of those guys that, even though he’s still learning the nuisance of the offense, when asked questions, he’s not where Drew and Beau are, but he’s got a natural feel for the position on the field. Some guys, it’s almost like a point guard, you just have a feel for depth and spacing. He throws a really nice ball. He’s doing well. If we can continue to build on that, we’ll feel good about where he’s at.”

Penn State has had a good start to training camp

Penn State will practice for the fourth time on Sunday afternoon. It kicked off camp back on Wednesday, and also practiced Thursday and Saturday.

“I think we have had a really good offseason from winter workouts to spring ball to summer training,” Franklin said. “Our strength staff has done a phenomenal job. We are bigger, faster, and stronger than we’ve been. It’s been good.

“I thought our practice one was really good. I thought our practice three was excellent. Extremely competitive during the first day in shoulder pads. Having all three coordinators back, there’s a ton of value in that. So far, so good. We got a good team. Exciting season.”

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