Penn State coach James Franklin set for ‘career defining year,’ analyst says: Newsstand

Is this a career-defining season for Penn State coach James Franklin? Most people seem to think so. The Nittany Lions are Cleveland.com’s preseason No. 1 team in the Big Ten. Some evaluators call them the top team in the country. All of them think that PSU is one of the top five best teams on paper in the country entering the 2025 season. Which is why CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli believed this is a major year for Franklin’s legacy in the sport. That take headlines today’s newsstand.

“What happens to Franklin at that point? If the 2025 season seems set up for Penn State to succeed, but the Nittany Lions once again come up short, how is Franklin viewed from that point on?” Fornelli writes. “He’s a coach who got the Penn State job because he showed he could punch above his weight while at Vanderbilt, leading the Commodores to 18 wins in his final two seasons there. However, at Penn State, Franklin has yet to consistently display the ability to do so.

“Failure to do so in 2025 would likely cement that opinion for good.”

Fornelli is hardly alone in believing that, of course. Penn State returns as much talent as any team in the country, especially at quarterback and running back, and made Jim Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the sport. Winning it all is not necessary for this season to be a success. But having the chance to do so by making the Playoff and finding a way to the title game feels as close to a must as possible.

Penn State headlines of the day

Trimmings: Targets emerging for PSU along the defensive line in 2027: Fitz, BWI

The weekly rundown: The Big Ten is set to unofficially kickoff the season: Pickel, BWI

Penn State’s culture leaves strong impression on five-star DE Anthony Sweeney: Snyder, BWI

Perception vs Reality: Examining Drew Allar’s performance against Ohio State and Oregon: Carr, BWI

PSU Big Ten preseason predictions roundup: What’s being said about the Lions?: Pickel, BWI

Penn State is off to a good start with 2027 4-star in-state WR target Matthew Gregory: Simmons, On3

Quote of the day

“I was back at Penn State this summer and I have been there five times now. Penn State has shown a lot of love, they were one of the first schools to believe in me and I love the program. They have been one of the most consistent schools texting me, calling me and recruiting me. I really know the staff, all are good people and I can see myself being there.”

Pottstown (Pa.) Owen J. Roberts Class of 2027 wide receiver Matthew Gregory to Rivals.