Which Penn State football players impressed James Franklin on offense, defense, and special teams this spring?

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State football coach James Franklin is leery of answering questions about who stood out the most during spring practice. The ninth-year leader of the Lions doesn’t want to either miss or offend anyone.

While that’s a logical stance in the age of the transfer portal, it’s still a guarantee that some members of the roster flashed more than others during spring practice. Who were they?

The head coach weighed in following the Blue-White game on Saturday, which was won by the defense over the offense 17-13, at Beaver Stadium.

Picking Penn State standouts on offense

Franklin started his answer with three members of the Penn State offensive line.

“Caedan [Wallace], Sal [Wormley], and Olu [Fashanu], I think those three guys played really well,” Franklin said. “They took a ton of reps this spring. We have had a really good competition at guard.

“We’ll still have competition [at other] positions, but we’ll have really good competition at guard. Getting Saleem Wormley back from injury is really valuable.”

After praising the depth of the tight end room but not a specific player in it, the receivers were discussed next.

“At wideout, with Parker [Washington] and KeAndre [Lambert-Smith] back, I thought Mitchell Tinsley came in and did some really good things that you’d expect out of a veteran wide out,” Franklin said.

“At wide out, I think we got chance to have a legitimate two-deep that we probably haven’t had.”

Franklin covered the quarterbacks room next. It sounds like that, while the group had a tough Saturday, it had an overall good spring. That was especially so for one player.

“At quarterback, Sean [Clifford] had his best spring,” Franklin said. “Christian Veilleux was able to build on the success that he had in the Rutgers game.

“Sean and Veilleux both had really good springs. And, the two young guys [Drew Allar and Beau Pribula] really flashed some potential.”

Franklin did not cover the running backs. But, that group took a nice step forward as well.

Which Lions led the way on defense?

Franklin made a pick for each position. We’ll start with the last line of defense: Safety.

Ji’Ayir Brown, ‘Tig’, obviously led the nation in interceptions last year,” Franklin said. “But, I thought he built on it this spring and this winter workouts. I really feel like we got three other safeties that really flashed at times.

“I think we have a lot of positions, I’m not ready to say we’re as talented with the starters that we’ve ever been, but we have positions where our depth is as good as it’s been, where [the] drop off isn’t as significant to the number twos and number threes.”

Kalen King was the corner who was at the top of Franklin’s list. Next up were the Penn State linebackers. Who stood out there?

“At linebacker, I would say the move of Jon Sutherland to the field [line]backer, I think it has been very obvious to everybody that was the right thing for us to do and that was the right thing for Jon to do,” Franklin said.

“I think he’s got a chance to have a big year.”

Finally, the Penn State head coach covered the defensive line

“Defensive line, just having Adisa [Isaac] back,” Franklin said. “We felt like he had a chance to be a really special player and then missed last year. So having him back, it’s great to see that athleticism coming off of the edge.

“And, I would say the same thing at D-tackle that I said at safety. We have more depth at d-tackle without a significant drop-off than we’ve had in the past.”

Special teams standouts

Franklin’s answer finished with the special teams.

“I thought it was awesome to see Gabe Nwosu today punt the hell out of the ball. He hasn’t done that all spring to be honest with you. Some guys, when they get in Beaver Stadium in front of fans, the light goes on and they play well. I thought he did that today.

“I thought [punter] Barney Amor was great all spring. That’s important, obviously losing Jordan Stout, who will probably be the highest-drafted specialist in the country this year.”