4 things to watch for at Penn State football bowl media day on Friday

Penn State will hold its local bowl media day on Friday via ZOOM.

Head coach James Franklin, his coordinators, and select players will speak with reporters as practices and preparation continue prior to an Outback Bowl meeting with Arkansas on New Year’s Day in Tampa, Fla.

Here are four questions we’ll be hoping to answer during the event.

1. Will everyone play for Penn State in the bowl game?

This is almost always the first question Franklin fields each year. Postseason opt-outs have been nonexistent during his time in State College. And, if a player is not going to suit up due to injury, the leader of the Lions tends to not reveal that information.

It’s impossible to write a piece like this, though, without acknowledging what is arguably the top things fans want to know. Some Penn State players fought through injuries for all or most of the 2021 regular season. It would be no surprise if some of them opted for surgery to fast-track the rehab process. It would be a bit of a shock, though, if those names are revealed Friday.

As for opt-outs, even Saquon Barkley played in the Fiesta Bowl. There has been a bit of a perception change since then, though, when it comes to players who sit out bowl games. Will any Lions decide to do so? We’ll see.

2. Who is the interim defensive coordinator?

It is practically unheard of for someone who was hired between the end of the regular season and a bowl game to coach in his new team’s postseason date. It’s expected, then, that new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz will merely observe things to prepare for the 2022 season.

What that means, of course, is that Franklin must pick someone to call plays on defense with Brent Pry now at Virginia Tech. Co-defensive coordinators and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter is the likely and logical pick, but Franklin has not yet confirmed that. Expect him to on Friday.

Follow live updates from Penn State bowl media day inside The Lions Den forum.

3. Clifford will talk Penn State return for first time

Senior quarterback Sean Clifford announced a week ago today that he would be back for a sixth and final season in State College. On Friday, he will discuss why for the first time.

From everything we’ve heard so far, it does not sound like the Ohio native was always locked into coming back. Many conversations led to the final decision. The one that was makes sense for both sides, however. Still, it will be interesting to hear what No. 14 has to say about it as he looks ahead to a final game this year and all of next in blue and white.

4. Diaz will speak for the first time

Diaz told Penn State’s in-house team on Wednesday that the hiring process which led him to the Lions was quick. In fact, it seems only a few days passed between initial contact and Penn State announcing him as Pry’s replacement.

The former Miami head coach and longtime college football defensive coordinator will meet with reporters for the first time since taking the job Friday. A key question is this: Of all the possible options, why was Penn State the one he jumped at to return to the coaching ranks?