What needs remain for Penn State football after the early signing day? James Franklin weighs in
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State signed 22 Class of 2023 prospects as of 2:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, which is when the early signing period started for this cycle. The Lions are not done trying to add prospects, though. Head coach James Franklin made that clear during a news conference here at Beaver Stadium after this morning’s signing day celebration at the Lasch Building.
Franklin started his question-and-answer session with reporters by saying he is pleased by what the team has brought in so far. It is a balanced group that shades slightly toward the defense at this juncture. But, three of the top five signees in the On3 Consensus recruiting rankings will play offense.
At any rate, Franklin outlined what he thinks still needs to be done, be it via the NCAA transfer portal or the second signing day in February.
What positions on offense will Penn State focus on?
Franklin ran down a few logical positions. Offensive tackle and wide receiver lead the way.
“We’d like to get another offensive lineman, if we could, specifically an offensive tackle, or a guy that’s like the guys that we signed in this class, that have position flexibility.”
Penn State inked On3 five-star Jven Williams, On3 Consensus four-star Alex Birchmeier, and three-star Anthony Donkoh up front. All three could play inside or out at the next level. And, that’s what the program seeks, someone “that can play all five positions in terms of the length to play tackle, the girth to play guard, and the intelligence to play center,” as Franklin put it. All three will enroll in January.
As for other needs, Franklin continued:
“Wide receiver, that’s a position where I could see us sign a couple more guys to make sure that we have the competition at that position on a similar scale that we do at tight end and running back.
“I think that’s going to be important for us moving forward. So offensive tackles are still out there. wide receivers that are still out there, we’ll be in pursuit.”
On3 Consensus four-star Carmelo Taylor is from Virginia. He is the only receiver in the class so far.
What positions are the Lions targeting on defense?
Penn State feels good about what it has done in the secondary so far with four-star safeties DaKaari Nelson and King Mack, plus corners Elliot Washington, a four-star, and three-stars Zion Tracy and Lamont Payne, all signed. But, with four-star Florida safety Conrad Hussey not signed as of 2:30 p.m. ET and trending toward Florida State, another addition to the last line of the defense is possible. But, it’s not the only position in focus moving forward.
“We’d like to get a defensive tackle,” Franklin said. “Possibly another defensive end, just from a numbers perspective. And then again, depending on how this thing plays out in the back end, we could need one or two more defensive backs. So you know, we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.
“But, those would probably be needs that I would say that are still out there, that we’d like to try to address, either through the second signing day of high school prospects, or some transfer portal prospects.”
Penn State has Jameil Lyons, Mason Robinson, and Joseph Mupoyi at end and Tyriq Blanding at defensive tackle.
The Lions’ Class of 2023 breaks down positionally as follows. It ranks inside the top 15 nationally as of 2:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 21.
Offensive line — 3
Safety – 3
Defensive line – 3
Linebacker – 3
Tight end — 3
Running back – 2
Cornerback – 2
Defensive end – 2
Receiver – 1
Quarterback – 1
Read Blue-White Illustrated’s full early signing day coverage here.
And, follow Conrad Hussey’s announcement inside The Lions Den forum.
