The Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to start competing in the Big Ten this year and their new locker room could inspire this team.
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“I built my strongest relationship with [DC Brent Pry] and [HC James Franklin]”, Franklin (no relation) said. “They were in communication with me more than any other school”.
Now the Nittany Lions are breaking in a new quarterback, with a new offensive coordinator and a stud running back.
One of the foundations of last year’s club, the defensive line drove the Penn State defense to a No. 14 ranking and several game-changing plays. “But whenever you can help the team win by putting the ball in the hands of a play maker, I think you’ve got to look at that option”. And then the depth and talent that we have at the running back position, as well.
“There are a number of reasons why we’re going to do that, which I will not go into at this time”, Franklin said in announcing the move. So you’re handing the ball off on an inside zone from the gun to the running back, and that defensive end and that backside outside linebacker now have to respect that and it slows them down because if the quarterback pulls the ball and goes out the back side, they’ve got to be there to defend it.
Penn State has always been reticent to use starters as kickoff returners, especially dynamic, game-breaking types. “I had to have good grades and show good potential as a football player to earn a scholarship to play for him”. But with a foundation in place, and a chance to evaluate the players on the field during camp, Franklin expressed excitement – saying forms of the word 13 times during his opening statement – and his staff echoed the sentiment. Sure, he wore down a bit in the second half of the year as defenses began loading the box to stop him, but he finished his freshman season with 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns rushing and 20 catches for 161 yards and a TD, despite playing in essentially nine games, between the injury and the early lack of carries.
The 2016 season marks the definitive end of the sanctions put forth in 2012 following the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Moorhead will bring a different tempo to the Penn State offense, something Franklin hopes will lead to more production. Penn State still faces steep challenges as it tries to find an escape from back-to-back 7-6 seasons. While the roster has a full allotment of scholarships, it is imbalanced toward younger players, with only a few seniors atop the depth chart. Missing from the lists were Austin Johnson, Carl Nassib and Anthony Zettel, three stalwarts from last year’s defensive line who opened training camp with their respective National Football League teams.
“It is going to ultimately be an important decision who lines up at [middle linebacker] and commands the defense”, Pry said.
Perhaps the biggest roster surprise of Media Day is happening on the offensive line, where it appears Andrew Nelson is back at right tackle. They’ll make minor strides again this year but make no mistake, the Nittany Lions will still have a subpar O-line. “This is a pivotal and exciting time in our sport, with the NCAA, with the Big Ten and specifically Penn State”.
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“Chavis is a great story”, Franklin said.
