Penn State's James Franklin a 'Big Believer' That Bowls Benefit Players

Regarding potential bowl opt-outs, Franklin said that games like the Peach Bowl can create value for players weighing an NFL future.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State has been relatively quiet so far regarding roster change. Three Nittany Lions are in the NCAA Transfer Portal, while two have announced plans to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, Meanwhile, Penn State received its first commitment from the transfer portal, as Division II offensive lineman Alan Herron announced he will join the 2024 Penn State football roster.

Though more Lions will declare for the NFL Draft, just one so far, defensive end Chop Robinson, will not play in the Peach Bowl. The other player to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, tight end Theo Johnson, said he will remain with the team through the Dec. 30 Peach Bowl against Ole Miss. Johnson’s decision echoed those most of Penn State’s draft-eligible players made last year ahead of the Rose Bowl. It will be interesting to see if the same plays out this year.

“I think it's positive. I think Theo and his family know that we are going to do what's best for Theo and be supportive of that," Penn State coach James Franklin said Monday at a Peach Bowl news conference. "But I also think there's a balance where you can do both: finish with your teammates, finish what you start and finish the season and do it the right way. I think it's more challenging than it's ever been before. These guys are hearing from people in every direction and being pulled in 1,000 different directions.”

Franklin compared Johnson's situation to that of Saquon Barkley before the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. Franklin had a specific plan for Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, with the way the running back practiced and played.

“I'm still a big believer — a game like this, Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and against this type of opponent, Ole Miss and what Lane [Kiffin] has built there — these games are about creating value for the student-athletes," Franklin said. "I still believe that this game, for most of them, creates an opportunity, obviously for us to finish this thing as a family and as a team and represent Penn State one more time, but also to create more value for themselves. You go out and have a great Peach Bowl game — in that type of venue, in that setting against this type of opponent on national television — I think can really help the student-athlete and what they're trying to do for their future in the NFL as well.”

Peach Bowl Notes

No. 10 Penn State will play No. 11 in the Dec. 30 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on ESPN. Peach Bowl CEO Gary Stokan joined Franklin and Penn State Athletic Director in State College on Monday to deliver the formal invitation. Some interesting notes about Penn State's Peach Bowl appearance:

• With a win in its Peach Bowl debut, Penn State would become the only college football program to win every New Year’s Six bowl. 
• This will be Penn State’s eighth noon kickoff of the season. The Lions went 5-2 in noon kicks during the regular season.
• Stokan said he expects Sue Paterno to attend the game. The Peach Bowl manages the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, which Joe Paterno won twice, and Sue Paterno has attended Dodd Trophy events. 
• Fifty-three percent of Peach Bowl’s games have ended with a margin of victory of seven points or less.
• The Peach Bowl offers a $6 million payout to its teams: $4 million to the school and $2 million for expenses. The Big Ten has a revenue-sharing policy regarding bowls. 
• The Peach Bowl also creates a $50,000 donation to each school, matched by title sponsor Chick-Fil-A to make it $100,000, for an endowed scholarship for Title I students.

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Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.

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