Penn State defensive end Smith Vilbert will not be available this season, James Franklin says
Penn State will be down a defensive lineman for the remainder of this season. Head coach James Franklin said Tuesday night that veteran Smith Vilbert would not be playing on game day this fall.
A redshirt junior, Vilbert exploded onto the scene in the Outback Bowl. He had a career-high three sacks to end the 2021 season opposite Arkansas. Hopes were high for the redshirt junior entering the 2022 season. But, he was seen at practice but not yet during a game this year. And, that will continue to be the case.
“Smith will not be available this week and not be available this season,” Franklin said.
Franklin said last week that he was not ready to comment on Vilbert’s season-long status before talking to the New Jersey native. But, now, he has weighed in.
“Just not available,” Franklin said before the Northwestern game. “I’d like to sit down with Smith and make sure that me and him are on the same page. Again, like we talk about all the time, whatever it may be, whether it’s injuries or whatever it may be, I don’t like to make announcements here publicly before we have spoken so we’re all on the same page. I’ve got a ton of respect for all the players in our program, and I want to be respectful of their situations, whether it’s personal, whether it’s professional, whether it’s academic, whatever it may be. I want to be respectful of those things.
“I’m really proud that Smith Vilbert is a part of our program, and I’ll leave it at that for right now, but I will follow back up with you guys now that it’s specifically been asked.”
Why is Vilbert out for Penn State this year?
The reason why Vilbert is not available this season is unclear. And, it was not disclosed on Tuesday night, which was Franklin’s only availability during the bye week. The Lions do not play this weekend before traveling to Michigan Oct. 15. That game is set to kick off at Noon ET. FOX will televise the contest.
Penn State will alter its bye week schedule somewhat. The team will practice on Thursday, which it hasn’t done in the past. But, from there, the rest of the week and weekend will focus on player rest and recovery while the coaches go out recruiting.
“We’ll practice [Wednesday],” Franklin said. “And then most of the staff will go on the road recruiting. The coordinators and the [graduate assistants] will stay. They’ll have a practice on Thursday. Then, the coordinators will get out Thursday after practice. And, then we’ll recruit all day Friday, Saturday, and then get back into town [and be] ready for somewhat of a normal Sunday.
“Obviously, we got a head start, but that’s the biggest difference in terms of our [bye] week. We’re obviously spending most of our time game planning and even trying to get ahead on a few opponents as well.”
