James Franklin lists Penn State's objectives for spring ball

Going into the 2023 season, there are high expectations for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Head coach James Franklin knows that if Penn State is going to live up to those expectations, the Nittany Lions need to have a good spring.

So, as Penn State begins its spring practices, Franklin explained the team’s objectives this spring.

“Talking to Coach [Mike] Yurcich,” James Franklin began explaining the team’s offensive objectives. “Our spring objectives are improving the run game, increasing our mental and physical toughness, improve our execution and communication, improve ball security, improve our explosiveness in the run and pass game, and then we’ve got to identify leaders and empower them in the leadership positions.”

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“Defensively, with Manny [Diaz], reestablish our physical mental and emotional toughness, create habits to play with relentless effort, master leverage and tackling systems, create havoc with all of the havoc plays — tackle for loss, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles, and interceptions — develop fundamentals and technique, identify leaders and empower them,” Franklin said.

“And then, obviously, figure out, really in all three phases, figure out who our 11 best players are and then how do we create as much depth as we possibly can behind them.”

James Franklin also spoke about the special teams unit, an incredibly important but often overlooked group.

“And then on special teams, continue to develop fundamentals and techniques for our special teams units, develop and identify top special teams personnel — our two deep, again for all units — identify leaders and empower them in leadership positions, and then cultivate special teams really throughout our entire organization.”

James Franklin also emphasized that he’s excited to see how new players are going to factor in and compete for Penn State this season.

James Franklin on welcoming transfer wide receivers

One of the decisions James Franklin made this offseason was to reload the wide receiver room through the transfer portal, adding players like Malik McClain and Dante Cephas.

“We’re very transparent. You have conversations and let people know what you’re doing and why. We kind of have examples of both. We’ve brought some guys into the transfer portal who haven’t played significant roles, have been more complementary pieces to the current room, and we’ve brought some guys that have come in and started and been able to make an impact,” Franklin said.

“So I think the biggest thing is being transparent with your guys in your current program, because ultimately you want to do right by the guys in your program.”