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What James Franklin during presser as Penn State prepares for spring football
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Spring football is on the horizon in State College. After a disappointing 7-6 campaign in 2021, Penn State is looking ahead to the 2022 season and a chance to re-emerge as a contender in the B1G East.
This season will mark James Franklin’s ninth as the leader at Penn State. During that stretch, the Nittany Lions have compiled a 67-34 record with 7 bowl appearances and 3 seasons of 11 wins.
In 2016, Franklin led PSU to a B1G championship and Rose Bowl berth.
On Monday, Franklin met with reporters to talk about the upcoming spring practice schedule for his program. He touched on a variety of topics throughout the presser, gearing up for the 2022 season.
Here’s what the Penn State head coach had to say as football returns to Happy Valley:
Franklin on Manny Diaz's arrival: "I think that's gone really well. The adjustment has been really good."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on Yurcich's impact on Sean Clifford: " Sean has done some really good things over his career here… I think [Yurcich's second year] can have a big impact."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on the running game and offensive line: "It needs to be something we make sure we get enough reps on this spring… Making sure these 15 practices that we're getting enough reps there from a scheme perspective, from a technique perspective."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on the incoming athletic director and the new president, Neeli Bendapudi:"I think it's really important… Building those relationships and that rapport is critical."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on Adisa Isaac and Hakeem Beamon: "I think both those guys have a chance to to be impactful and are both special players."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin said he expects Adisa Isaac to do "a lot" this spring, but he's not quite back to 100% participation. However, Franklin said he's "close to it."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on Mike Yurcich's first-year performance: "I think Mike would be the first one to tell you that he had greater and higher expectations than the way things played out… Moving forward, I am comfortable and confident that we can make significant strides this year."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on the program's new running backs: "They'll have some opportunities to rotate in there, and we'll see how it plays out as the spring goes on."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin said Jonathan Sutherland has played his best football when he's closest to the ball. He said Sutherland is going to start at the the "field backer" position.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on one of the young quarterbacks beating out Sean Clifford as the starting quarterback: "Is it realistic? Probably not."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on life without Brent Pry: "Him and Dwight Galt, those guys have been with me every step of the way for a long period of time… It's different, there's no doubt about it. There's no doubt, it's a significant loss."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on freshman defensive tackle Zane Durant: "He's hilarious…He tested extremely well. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Kevin Givens."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Franklin on lettermen on staff: "I think we have nine lettermen on the staff right now, in one responsibility or another, which is really cool, and I'm really proud of that."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB