What is on the Penn State checklist in July? Decisions, downtime, and more
Penn State football will enjoy a slow start to July, as a dead period has arrived. However, July 1 starts the unofficial countdown to fall camp, and so the staff will still be busy with that, welcoming a new athletic director, and recruiting.
Here’s what is on the Nittany Lions to-do list this month.
Welcoming Pat Kraft
Former Boston College athletic director Pat Kraft takes over today. Sandy Barbour has retired as the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, effective at the end of June 30. So, the Kraft era is officially underway in State College. He spent the last two months both wrapping up his time with the Eagles and preparing to lead Penn State.
“I want to get to work and I’m asking questions,” Kraft said in May. “But, it will give me a chance to be able to really dive into some of the things that’s just been brought up here. Where are we at from an NIL perspective? What are the issues that we really got to walk up to from a student athlete’s welfare perspective? Finances.
“So, it gives you a little bit of time. But, my goal is July 1, I’m off and running. And, so, I got that month to really figure out kind of our strategy moving in in year one. Things change. But, I’m anxious to take that time to kind of dive in.”
We’ll see what Kraft’s top priorities are in the day and months ahead. But, NIL figures to lead the list.
Setting up for decisions
As of this writing, only two targets have set announcement dates. Four-star Fairfax, Va., linebacker Tony Rojas will pick between Penn State and others on July 14. Then, on July 15, four-star Pittsburgh linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson will make his decision public. The Lions are currently the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine leader for both players.
Expect that the pair will soon be joined by other players setting commitment dates. It might be the dead period, which forbids visits, but it doesn’t mean electronic communication must stop. In fact, it’ll be busier than ever as schools make their final pitch as prospects come down the home stretch of their recruitment.
Down time for staff while Penn State players continue to work
The staff spent March and April focused on spring practice. Then, they spent nearly a month and a half on the recruiting trail. Then, the evaluation period rolled right into a quiet period that included camps and official visitors every weekend and even on some weekdays, too. All told, the first part of July should equal a chance for the Penn State coaches and recruiting staff to take some well-deserved time off.
As for the players and strength staff, they will continue working together in unison to prepare for the 2022 season. There will be player-led workouts, as well, and of course plenty of academic work during the second summer semester.
Penn State at Big Ten Media Days
Big Ten Media Days are set for July 26-27 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Nittany Lions will go on Day 2 of the annual event, which will be held for the second consecutive year at Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State has not yet picked who will represent it there along with James Franklin, but once it’s complete, there will only be days remaining until fall camp kicks off.
