James Franklin updates Penn State's ongoing spring practices
Penn State is quickly closing in on the annual Blue-White Spring Game which will bring an end to spring practices.
The shortened 2020 season was certainly an up-and-down one for head coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Penn State started the year with five straight losses before rebounding with four straight victories to end the season.
After a disappointing and short season that was preceded by no spring practices, the spring of 2021 has become increasingly significant for teams across the country. That is especially true for Penn State as they will face Wisconsin on the road to start the season. A non-conference game against SEC-foe Auburn is also on tap this year.
On Wednesday, Franklin met with the media to discuss the spring practices with just over a week to go before the spring game. Among the topics he discussed were the potential starters at linebacker and the performance of some notable freshmen.
James Franklin is on Zoom following spring practice tonight. Praises Rasheed Walker: "He seems more appreciative of Penn State than ever and I think that's a really important characteristic for all of us."
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) April 7, 2021
Franklin on Rasheed Walker: "I'm super proud of him in every area, how far he's grown…he seems more appreciative of Penn State than ever."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) April 7, 2021
Franklin on linebacker Curtis Jacobs: "Right now he's playing like a confident guy who gained some valuable experience last year…that gives us the opportunity to put Brandon Smith into the boundary."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) April 7, 2021
Curtis Jacobs and Brandon Smith would be the starters at Sam and Will linebacker if the season kicked tomorrow per James Franklin.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) April 7, 2021
"We knew both were good, but they've both come in better than we anticipated," Franklin added.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) April 7, 2021
James Franklin on the King twins, Kobe and Kalen, said they knew both were good but came in "better than we anticipated especially from an approach and maturity standpoint."
That's been a theme this spring with them.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) April 7, 2021
Franklin on Brandon Smith: "He's very confident…he's really working into being a leader for us right now, he's in our offices all the time."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) April 7, 2021
Franklin says the pandemic's disruption of spring ball and the preseason in the 2020 affected the team's chemistry.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) April 7, 2021
"Until you're consistently where you want to be in the conference and nationally, you always feel like that," Franklin added.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) April 7, 2021
James Franklin says “Me, personally, I'll take any vaccine they give me […] if they help us get back to normal, if they'll help me get back with my family."
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) April 7, 2021
The Blue-White Spring Game is set for April 17.
