Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
Takeaways From James Franklin's Penn State Update
STATE COLLEGE | At the end of a 4-minute answer regarding quarterback Drew Allar, during which he praised the sophomore's strength, poise and accuracy, Penn State coach James Franklin reminded himself of Sean Clifford. Franklin saw on social media recently that Clifford, now a rookie quarterback with the Green Bay Packers, had led a sharp 2-minute drill during OTAs. "Love it," Franklin said.
The head coach, entering his 10th season at Penn State, wanted everyone to know how much Clifford's impact still resonates with the program, the quarterbacks in particular. It was a interesting grace note to Franklin's media session at the Lasch Football Building on Thursday that covered a variety of topics.
Franklin discussed Allar, expectations, a unique new hire and more during his first media availability in State College since the Blue-White Game. Franklin also, without being asked, identified the position group from which he has seen major strides. Here are the leading takeaways from Franklin's media session.
Penn State's Defensive Line Is Surging
Franklin discussed the defensive line unprompted and energetically, calling it the position group about which he's most excited. Which was interesting, considering that Franklin said after last year's loss to Michigan that the line, notably its tackles, needed to get bigger and stronger.
Well, tackles Hakeem Beamon (now 275 pounds) and Zane Durant (280) have done that. Franklin said both have gained necessary weight and suggested that Beamon, a returning starter, could be one of the nation's best tackles. Further, fifth-year senior Dvon Ellies, a charismatic personality like former tackle and captain PJ Mustipher, is working with an edge Franklin hadn't seen before. The combination led Franklin to this preseason prediction.
"We've got a chance to have one of the best defensive lines in the country from a depth and talent standpoint but also from a size standpoint," Franklin said. "... That's a position group that I'm really excited about, that I think can take us to the next level on defense."
Drew Allar Is an 'Old-School' NFL 'Prototype' Quarterback
Franklin won't yet name Allar as Penn State's starter for the opener against West Virginia but certainly praised him like one. In fact, Franklin called the 6-5, 242-pound sophomore an "old-school prototype quarterback." Then he spent more than 4 minutes listing Allar's strengths, notably how difficult he'll be to sack and how his ability to make so many different throws will force defenses to cover the field's entire width. But most importantly, Franklin said, Allar has cultivated a sense of poise.
"When he got in the Purdue game as a true freshman, he just was like super poised," Franklin said. "You can do all the drills you want, throwing and footwork and run-game fundamentals. But at the end of the day, it’s hard to teach that, the poise in the pocket, and he just seems to have that. There can be chaos all around him, and he just is efficient with his movements."
A Western Pa. Legend Joins Penn State's Staff
Dorin Dickerson, who played at Pitt and West Allegheny High, called it perhaps the "toughest tweet I've ever sent." "Bob Palko is accepting a job with Penn State football," Dickerson noted.
Palko, a high school football coaching legend in western Pennsylvania, is joining Penn State's staff as director of high school relations. Franklin recently created the job partly with Palko in mind. As a frequent recruiting visitor to Palko's programs, Franklin always left impressed with Palko's organization and enthusiasm. Franklin often told staff members, "If we ever have an opening, I'd love to get that guy on our staff."
Western Pennsylvania football fans know Palko as the coach who led West Allegheny to eight WPIAL titles and a state championship and Mt. Lebanon to a 2019 state title. Palko recently was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He's a legend who has worked with high school athletes for decades and, as Franklin said, will do the same for Penn State "18 hours a day."
"He will be a really good resource for our players in a lot of different ways," Franklin said.
Quick Hits
Tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren are "good to go" after missing spring drills, Franklin said. Warren and Johnson's absence allowed more tight ends and receivers to garner practice time, but they remain the Lions' clear top two at the position. Franklin declined to discuss whether Johnson would face disciplinary action after being charged with misdemeanor assault following an alleged fraternity fight February. However, Franklin did say that his staff gathered information as to "what really happened, and then the penalty will align with that. But I'm not going to ever be quick to react until we have all the information."
A film crew was on campus Thursday to interview Franklin for a documentary about Saquon Barkley. Franklin discussed having Barkley and Miles Sanders in the same running back room, which prompted a discussion about position competition. "
"I was just doing an interview about having a running back room with Saquon Barkley and Miles, and at times there may have been some frustration with that," Franklin said. "But I truly believe that that type of competition in college really set them up to be successful in the NFL."
Hinting at the Playoff?
Of course not. Franklin responded to a question regarding buzz around the program by telling his players to keep their heads down. However, the coach did acknowledge the benefits of entering a season highly ranked, particularly as it might apply to the College Football Playoff.
"Obviously I do think there’s there’s some value in starting the season ranked highly," Franklin said. "It just makes the path a little bit easier to get where you want to go at the end of the season. ... All that stuff is good is good for the community, it’s good for the state, it’s good for our conference, it’s good for Penn State.
"... To talk about all these things like goals and objectives that people have and expectations, it's great. We may do that one or two times a year. But what really matters is, do our habits and our actions align with who we say we want to be and where we want to go? If not, it’s just talk with nothing to really back it up."
More on Penn State
Penn State Basketball on SI.com
Penn State's future football schedules will include no protected rivals
Penn State's top two collectives merge to form Happy Valley United
Why James Franklin tells some prospects not to commit
Penn State lands three 2024 commitments on one hectic Sunday
Penn State continues recruiting surge in Florida
Penn State to honor Wally Triplett with new Brand Academy
Quarterback Drew Allar heads to Manning Passing Academy
Penn State offers Virginia offensive lineman, Class of 2028
For Penn State, a hospital visits lifts players from their 'football bubble'
Penn State announces four more kickoff times, including one on the Peacock streaming service
A future Penn State receiver is Pennsylvania's fastest sprinter
Penn State offers fans added ways to spend time, and money, at Beaver Stadium
Penn State probably won't miss playing Michigan State at Spartan Stadium this season
The Lions will play Michigan State on Black Friday at Ford Field
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
