Here are the big takeaways of today's post-practice press conference from James Franklin....
-- They are not ready to name a starting punter or kicker yet on top of the QB competition.
-- We should hear about which true freshmen will be green, yellow, or red next week.
-- Drew Shelton has gotten work at both left and right tackle this camp. Caedan Wallace, it sounds like he has been making strides this camp compared to last season.
-- Dante Cephas is still battling in a group of four or five guys who are in the conversation to be in the WR rotation this year. Continues to get used to the Power Five game. (I wouldn't read too much into the wording)
-- At safety, there is still a battle with Keaton Ellis, Zakee Wheatley, Jaylen Reed, and Kevin Winston Jr.
-- Entered the year feeling that JB Nelson was going to receive starting like reps. Franklin notes he may be the most physical
offensive lineman the Nittany Lions have and someone they expect to play a "significant" role this season.
-- Calls Deion Barnes's first camp "really good", says the former Nittany Lion is very demanding and authentic with his players. He is still going through that growth of being a full-time positional coach, especially at a program like Penn State, but is handling the transition "extremely well" and is way ahead of "where most people would anticipate."
-- Has been impressed by the veterans they picked up in the transfer portal when it comes to special teams. Calls Sander Sahaydak's development "dramatic" attributes that to the competition. Tyler Duzansky, at this point, has locked down the long snapping job.
-- They are not ready to name a starting punter or kicker yet on top of the QB competition.
-- We should hear about which true freshmen will be green, yellow, or red next week.
-- Drew Shelton has gotten work at both left and right tackle this camp. Caedan Wallace, it sounds like he has been making strides this camp compared to last season.
-- Dante Cephas is still battling in a group of four or five guys who are in the conversation to be in the WR rotation this year. Continues to get used to the Power Five game. (I wouldn't read too much into the wording)
-- At safety, there is still a battle with Keaton Ellis, Zakee Wheatley, Jaylen Reed, and Kevin Winston Jr.
-- Entered the year feeling that JB Nelson was going to receive starting like reps. Franklin notes he may be the most physical
offensive lineman the Nittany Lions have and someone they expect to play a "significant" role this season.
-- Calls Deion Barnes's first camp "really good", says the former Nittany Lion is very demanding and authentic with his players. He is still going through that growth of being a full-time positional coach, especially at a program like Penn State, but is handling the transition "extremely well" and is way ahead of "where most people would anticipate."
-- Has been impressed by the veterans they picked up in the transfer portal when it comes to special teams. Calls Sander Sahaydak's development "dramatic" attributes that to the competition. Tyler Duzansky, at this point, has locked down the long snapping job.
