Some notes from James Franklin's afternoon hourlong podium session with the media:
-Asked about what Sean Clifford and Will Levis bring to the QB position, Franklin told a story about him telling Clifford he needed to be more dynamic, bring more to the position after Sean ran 4.8 in his first testing when he arrived. Franklin said in his last testing, Clifford clocked a faster 40-yard dash than Trace McSorley ever did during his time at Penn State. On Levis, Franklin compared him to Troy Aikman.
-An interesting comment from Franklin was that he expects they sign "30 or more" prospects in this next class. In an era where teams can only sign 25 initial qualifiers, Franklin says they have the ability to reach that number because they have the room to sign back. I asked Franklin if they would earmark some of those remaining spots (Assuming 20 commitments right now) specifically to use on the transfer portal next spring, but he said those discussions have not taken place. He doesn't want to turn down good HS players to take a shot on a more developed player later on, and that he sees Penn State always being a program built primarily from the HS ranks.
-Franklin explained how they handle their own players who put their name in the transfer portal. He says those players will lose their aid at the end of the semester. "If you're looking, we're looking." That does not mean those players cannot come back, but it will be at Penn State's discretion if they are invited back.
-Was asked which positions he needs to get questions answered most when camp opens next month, and he listed offensive line, defensive tackle, wide receiver and safety.
-Was asked positions of strength and he listed DE, LB, CB and TE as well as special teams.
-Asked to describe his team right now, Franklin said: "fast, athletic, young and lacks experience."
Franklin talked about who has stepped up as leaders and the first player he mentioned was KJ Hamler, using the line "The only thing faster than KJ's feet is his mouth." Also listed Pat Freiermuth, Sean Clifford and Michal Menet as leaders on this team.
-Asked about what Sean Clifford and Will Levis bring to the QB position, Franklin told a story about him telling Clifford he needed to be more dynamic, bring more to the position after Sean ran 4.8 in his first testing when he arrived. Franklin said in his last testing, Clifford clocked a faster 40-yard dash than Trace McSorley ever did during his time at Penn State. On Levis, Franklin compared him to Troy Aikman.
-An interesting comment from Franklin was that he expects they sign "30 or more" prospects in this next class. In an era where teams can only sign 25 initial qualifiers, Franklin says they have the ability to reach that number because they have the room to sign back. I asked Franklin if they would earmark some of those remaining spots (Assuming 20 commitments right now) specifically to use on the transfer portal next spring, but he said those discussions have not taken place. He doesn't want to turn down good HS players to take a shot on a more developed player later on, and that he sees Penn State always being a program built primarily from the HS ranks.
-Franklin explained how they handle their own players who put their name in the transfer portal. He says those players will lose their aid at the end of the semester. "If you're looking, we're looking." That does not mean those players cannot come back, but it will be at Penn State's discretion if they are invited back.
-Was asked which positions he needs to get questions answered most when camp opens next month, and he listed offensive line, defensive tackle, wide receiver and safety.
-Was asked positions of strength and he listed DE, LB, CB and TE as well as special teams.
-Asked to describe his team right now, Franklin said: "fast, athletic, young and lacks experience."
Franklin talked about who has stepped up as leaders and the first player he mentioned was KJ Hamler, using the line "The only thing faster than KJ's feet is his mouth." Also listed Pat Freiermuth, Sean Clifford and Michal Menet as leaders on this team.
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