Penn State head coach James Franklin gives final update from camp
Penn State head coach James Franklin met with the media on the field of Beaver Stadium on Tuesday night for the final update from training camp. He discussed defensive tackle PJ Mustipher’s return from injury, camp battles, and starting the season on the road at Purdue, among other topics.
Penn State’s turnover king continues his reign
However, Franklin started with a discussion on redshirt freshman safety Zakee Wheatley who once again took home the team’s “turnover king” title in camp,
It’s pretty impressive; really good ball skills, really good instincts. I know I say this sometimes, and it sounds ridiculous, but he’s one of the guys the ball just likes him. Part of that is doing what you’re supposed to do to be in position when the opportunities come. But it’s pretty impressive.”
Wheatley was also the turnover king for the team during spring camp.
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“He’s trending in the right direction; there’s no doubt about it.”
Franklin also discussed what the team has learned from starting the season against a Big Ten opponent for the third consecutive year,
“Yeah. I think obviously for the team, I think it really kind of sets the tone and their temperament kind of all summer and all camp. I do think it’s different. I also think you know, going on the road, also is a factor. We’ve had, we’ve had pretty tough ones on the road to open the season in the big tent to start the year. So you know, obviously we’ve learned we’ve had a bunch of emotions and experiences in those first games.”
No update on camp battles
Franklin did not discuss with the media the results of training camp battles between players at key positions. As always, those conversations happen behind closed doors and aren’t disclosed until after they happen.
While he didn’t get into the results of those camp battles, he did discuss how the staff approaches those conversations with players.
Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher updates progress with camp over, Purdue on the horizon
“The other thing that I think helps that that I feel like I’ve done a better job and we’ve done a better job over the last couple of years, is we have all the data from every competitive period that we have in practice. Whether it’s a team period, whether it’s a seven-on-seven period, whether it’s an individual one-on-one rush, we have all that data for two things;
Number one, so the coach has the data to back up what his gut is telling him I think this guy’s a star I think this guy’s the backup I think this guy is third on the depth chart. And not only do I feel that way, but the data backs it up. It’s also with missed assignments and mental errors and those types of things. But that’s also valuable to show the kid that kid says, “I don’t get it. What do you mean?” Well, here’s the data.
Penn State faces Purdue on Sep. 1 and has already begun preparing for the Boilermakers to end camp.
