HAPPY VALLEY, Pa. — We're one month away from opening day at West Virginia. There are plenty of questions about Penn State. Three different coordinators. One on offense, one on defense, also the wide receiving core is in bit of a state of flux. Right now, coach Franklin says, it's solid.
“There's kind of a small pool right now to base that off,” said Franklin. “I'll have a better idea, you know, a week from now, but so far, solid, and there's obviously some steps that need to be taken there from that entire room. Obviously, that's been a big question mark,” said Franklin.
The biggest addition to that room being Ohio State transfer, Julian Fleming. The senior wide receiver is expected to be the number one target in 2024.
“I think we have some of the best guys in the country. I think we're all pulling together and building a chemistry right now that's going to go a long, long way,” said Fleming.
Penn State is in pretty good shape on the defensive side of the ball. Quantity and quality returns with defensive end Abdul Carter. Carter is ready for a huge season.
“It’s whatever it takes, you know? I’m one of those players that line up wherever,” said Carter. “I just want to help the team win. We have multiple guys that can do multiple different things. We have interior guys that can line up on the edge. We got defensive ends who can also win on the inside. Our depth there, just being able to be creative with our depth on the defensive line with our stunts and everything because of the depth. It's going to help us a lot,” Carter said.
The Nittany Lions welcome Tom Allen to the staff to take over the defensive operation. Allen is the second defensive coordinator hire in the last two seasons. While key members of the defense admit coaching changes can be challenging, they note how it makes them smarter football players.
“It’s been super beneficial to me,” said junior linebacker, Tyler Elsdon. “Just being able to learn football from so many great individuals and great coaches over the years has expanded my football knowledge.”
“They're helping us a lot, they're keeping a lot of things the same,” said junior linebacker, Dominic DeLuca. Just learning their style of playing football, the way they understand the game. Just learning their post key and pre-snap keys, I mean, that really helps us a lot. It’s expanding our football IQ.”