Penn State practice notes and updates; Lions make top group for four-star recruit: Newsstand
A new Penn State football newsstand is live.
Thursday’s top updates include news to know from the practice field. The Nittany Lions opened part of Wednesday’s drills to reporters. Head coach James Franklin, special teams coordinator Stacy Collins, and quarterback Sean Clifford all talked afterward.
There is also a recruiting development of note, as a four-star linebacker has listed the Lions among his top schools.
It’s time to dive into the top tweets and headlines about Penn State and college athletics on April 14.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with updates from just outside Holuba Hall.
Just a little more than a week separates Penn State from its Blue-White scrimmage on April 23 at Beaver Stadium. However, the spring finale may look different than it has in the past due to a shortage of available players along the offensive line.
“I want to make it as game-like as I possibly can,” Franklin said. “But it’s hard to say right now. As the game gets closer, we’ll have some scrimmage aspect — whether it’s a two-sideline game like we’ve done in the past, I’m not sure.”
Back in 2014, the Lions had their linemen wear gray uniforms and play for both teams during the intrasquad event. That could happen again, but at this point, it’s simply too early to know.
Other highlights from the interviews that followed practice included what Franklin is hoping for when it comes to the school’s next athletic director. Clifford also talked about his new name, image, and likeness agency, Limitless NIL.
On the recruiting front, Penn State has made the top-12 for four-star linebacker Jordan Hall.
The IMG Academy standout shaved his list of 25 schools after taking numerous visits this spring. The full list of 12 includes the Lions, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Miami, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Virginia, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, and Auburn, in no particular order. The Spartans are the only school with a locked-in official visit date at this point in time. That fact gives them the lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Headlines of the day
Keaton Ellis Ready for Bigger, More Permanent Role: Jones, Statecollege.com
Penn State offensive line creating challenges, opportunities: Notes: Bauer, BWI
Nittany Lions talk special teams, offense and Limitless NIL: Allen, Daily Collegian
James Franklin still mulling format of Penn State’s Blue White Game amid lack of offensive line depth: Eckert, BWI
Penn State well-represented on ESPN’s top 100 RBs of all-time list: McGuire, Nittany Lions Wire
What is Penn State football coach James Franklin hoping for in the Lions’ next athletic director?: Pickel, BWI
Penn State’s Tyler Elsdon confident in himself physically as he competes for starting linebacker job: Gallen, PennLive
Penn State open practice highlights from week 4: Carr, BWI
Demeioun Robinson: 3 things to know about Penn State transfer from Maryland: Bodani, YDR
James Franklin meets with media after practice: Snyder, BWI
Quote of the day
“The other thing that I think we’ve done a pretty good job of being creative is, what you have to be careful is that it doesn’t limit the development of a bunch of other positions. When one position is challenged from a depth perspective, it makes it hard to practice the way you want to practice. And then other units and other positions get impacted by it. So, I think we’ve managed it pretty good.”
–PSU coach James Franklin on managing spring practice with limited depth along the offensive line.
