Five reasons for Penn State football fans to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving, Penn State fans! We hope you are enjoying the day with friends, family, or others you’re close with. And, if not, we appreciate you joining us here on this day.

The Nittany Lions practiced early Thursday morning and will spend the rest of the day with family and friends in State College.

“We’ll have a ton of families at practice this week because a lot of families, when we’re home — the home games are so much better during Thanksgiving because they can come up for Thanksgiving and stay for the game, so it makes sense,” head coach James Franklin said Tuesday. “I’ve got a ton of people coming to my house, not only the players, but their families as well. I was pulling out of the parking lot last night and the Drivers were behind us, Donald and the whole family. They were parked right behind me. I didn’t know who it was at first.

“So that’s a cool thing of this Thanksgiving week combined with Senior Day.”

Below, we make our picks for five things Lions fans have to be thankful for this year.

1. Penn State now has alignment

James Franklin was asked on Tuesday if he is “more at peace” this year compared to in years past. It’s obvious that the leader of the Lions greatly appreciates the work athletic director Pat Kraft and Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi have done to take some items off his plate. And, Penn State fans should appreciate that, too.

“I think probably the biggest factor for that is the alignment,” Franklin said. “You know, that has been phenomenal. I think you guys know in the past I’ve always been happy with the leadership, but I did feel like we needed more alignment, specifically when it comes to football. I just think that’s been obvious from the chair, to the president, if you spend time around our president, if you haven’t, strongly encourage you do it. She just has a energy and enthusiasm and positivity for Penn State specifically, but for this community and for students and their experience.

“And it’s infectious. Really is. Pat is aggressive when it comes to athletics, and I think is fighting for not just football, for all the sports. She is fighting. So that has been really good. That has been a really positive. So that’s probably the biggest thing. That’s probably the biggest thing. I feel like I can focus more of my time and energy on our players and our program right now than probably I ever have in 12 years. All the way back to Vanderbilt.”

Those are strong words from Franklin. Especially the fact that it dates back to his time with the Commodores. He clearly believes Penn State is moving in the right direction, which is very good news for the Lions.

2. Penn State has two tremendous running backs

It’s hard to believe, but Penn State has two running backs who already have a Big Ten freshman record. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are the only two conference backs ever to both have more than 700 rushing yards on the same team. And, they each have at least two more seasons to go in college. Better yet, the duo clearly has no problem sharing the spotlight, which is rare in the transfer portal era. These two will continue to get better throughout their time at Penn State. Considering what they did so far in year one, it’s hard to fathom what year two will look like, but it will surely be better.

Also, in this same vein, the Lions look to have an offensive line that is ready to be everything fans have long wanted it to be.

3. Sean Clifford is ready to pass the torch to Drew Allar

No matter how you feel about Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, there is absolutely no excuse for booing or otherwise expressing displeasure with the fourth-year starter and sixth-year Nittany Lion during Senior Day on Saturday. He has put it all on the line for this program, through better and worse.

With that thought out of the way, it is indisputable that Clifford has done much to mentor the Penn State quarterbacks behind him, including incoming starter Drew Allar. The former five-star and current backup will recognize things at scrimmage next fall that he will only recognize because of the Ohio native. It might not want to be something Lions fans want to believe, but it’s true. And Penn State fans should be thankful for that and the work the Penn State coaching staff did to land Allar, who has flashed at times and is expected to take the reigns and do big things next fall.

4. There is a young nucleus on the roster

It’s not just Singleton, Allen, and Allar, of course, who are ready to make enormous effects on the program in 2023. That list extends to linebacker Abdul Carter, corner Cam Miller, safety KJ Winston, defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant, receiver Omari Evans, and tackle Drew Shelton. Plus, a few other second-year players should make an impact next fall in receiver Kaden Saunders, guard Vega Ioane, lineman JB Nelson, linebacker Keon Wylie, and punter Alex Bacchetta.

There are Lions who will be third-year players, like safety Zakee Wheatley, corner Kalen King, and receivers Harrison Wallace and Liam Clifford, who will or should have bigger roles, as well. All told, a mixture of returning veterans, “young” players with experience, and inexperienced players who will have bigger roles should equal a fantastic mix for the Lions to enter the new year with.

5. James Franklin

We know fans desperately want to beat Ohio State and Michigan on an annual basis and know some believe Franklin is the reason why the Lions have not. There are ways the leader of the program can be better, which he has admitted. But, when you look across the college football coaching landscape, it’s hard to find many other better-suited people to lead the Lions, and the ones you would pick to do so would almost certainly not end up in State College. Franklin has a tremendous vision and direction for his players on and off the field, has made strong assistant coach and support staff hires, and continues pushing the program in the right direction. Penn State fans should be thankful for that.

Enjoy the holiday and holiday weekend, and of course the final regular season game of the year.