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Here’s what James Franklin said as Penn State prepares for Illinois
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Penn State is 5-1 on the season, and its only loss is on the road at No. 11 Iowa and was without starting QB Sean Clifford for most of the game.
Penn State is coming off the bye and heading into a showdown with Illinois on Saturday. Head coach James Franklin spoke to the media today ahead of the matchup with the Illini.
Franklin talked about the bye week and the players getting evaluated for the NFL during that time.
Franklin opened up by saying Penn State had a “very productive bye week.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin said the team got external player evaluations from NFL scouts, GMs, and agents during the bye week.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin talked about the alternate “Generation of Greatness” uniforms Penn State will be wearing this weekend.
Franklin on the Generations of Greatness uniforms: “Our players, and from what I see, our fan base, really enjoys those throwbacks.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin spoke to the media about the QB situation and how it will be a competition.
Franklin reiterated that Christian Veilleux and Ta’Quan Roberson will continue to evenly split reps and that Penn State will “make it a competition.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin on Roberson and Veilleux: “The guy that’s been in the program for a long time…should be able to widen that gap and right now, it’s somewhat close.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin gave an update on starting QB Sean Clifford.
James Franklin has no update on Sean Clifford’s status.
“You’d like to make the decision [on a starter] as early as you can. We’re not in position to do that right now.” pic.twitter.com/i3PfEkYuJE
— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 19, 2021
James Franklin mentions Sean Clifford doing all he can to get back “whenever that may be. … He’s doing all the right things. … Hopefully that will put him in the best position to get back whenever that is possible.”
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 19, 2021
Franklin on Clifford’s progress: “He’s doing everything you possibly can to put him in the best position to come back as soon as possible, whenever that may be.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin talks about who will be stepping up in place of DT P.J. Mustipher who is out for the year with an injury.
Franklin said Jordan van den Berg and Dvon Ellies will both get more reps in the absence of PJ Mustipher.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin talks about the loss of Mustipher.
Franklin said his daughter baked some cupcakes for Mustipher the other day, “Just trying to love on him and support him as much as we possibly can.”
— Elton Hayes (@EHDC12) October 19, 2021
Franklin on PJ Mustipher, who is out for the season: “He is just a tremendous young man…he’s handling it extremely well, like he does everything.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin talks about the transfer portal and the QB situation.
Franklin on the transfer portal: “We’ll continue to be aggressive and use the rules as they are currently built to put Penn State in the best position possible.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin on quarterback recruiting in the transfer portal: “I don’t see how we could have been more aggressive. We were thorough and we evaluated every single guy that was out there.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin on Roberson’s cadence: “He’s been able to get more reps with the ones and more reps with Mike Miranda. It’s been good.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin on his pursuit of a QB this offseason via the transfer portal, “Just to sign a guy to sign a guy, we actually think that would have been detrimental.”
— Elton Hayes (@EHDC12) October 19, 2021
Franklin talks about the LSU head coaching vacancy.
Franklin, who was linked to the LSU head coaching job, said he does get tired of addressing rumors internally.
“I care what people think and I want to handle things the right way.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin talks about the LB play from the Nittany Lions.
Franklin on linebacker Curtis Jacobs: “He’s always had the athleticism and the skills…he’s gaining more and more confidence.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin said Ellis Brooks is “playing as good as any middle linebacker in the country right now.” pic.twitter.com/cTUxaFrrnS
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) October 19, 2021
Franklin on LB Curtis Jacobs, “He’s gaining more and more confidence. He’s getting more and more comfortable of how he fits into the defense and what plays that he needs to make, what plays he should make.”
— Elton Hayes (@EHDC12) October 19, 2021
Penn State plays Illinois at home this Saturday at noon ET on ABC.