Franklin confirms getting player pay-for-visit demands
Penn State football coach James Franklin confirmed what Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in testimony last week has become common practice: For prospective athletes to ask for $5,000 to visit a college’s campus.
“We’re all dealing with the same challenges and issues,” Franklin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “We all are. So, yeah, sometimes I think things are said publicly that maybe you guys weren’t aware of before. But yeah, we’re all dealing with the same challenges and issues because most of us are all recruiting the same guys.
“That’s about as far as I’ll get into that.” Smith appeared before the House Committee on Small Business in Washington to discuss the impact of name, image and likeness (NIL) rules on college sports. He and others contend that federal legislation is needed.
According to USA Today, Smith said in written testimony and statements before the committee that more than 420 Ohio State athletes have at least one NIL deal and that athletes across all of the school’s teams have more than 2,000 deals.
He said the Ohio State athletes who have attracted the most NIL attention have been from the football and women’s volleyball teams.
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Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu was named Tuesday as the Outland Trophy Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best interior lineman in college football and is the third-oldest major college football award, created in 1946.
The 6-6, 317-pound Fashanu has not allowed a sack since the start of last season. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed one pressure on 120 pass protection snaps this season. He was named to The Associated Press, The Sporting News and PFF preseason All-America first teams.
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Franklin said he would like to see more consistency from the Penn State special teams, especially the kickers.
Alex Felkins has made 5-of-7 field goals, including one that was blocked, and Sander Sahaydak has missed both of his attempts.
“Our units are playing well, fast, aggressive and hard,” Franklin said. “I think we just need to be a little bit more consistent at the specialist positions.”
Riley Thompson has averaged 41.4 yards, but his net punting ranks 95th in the FBS. Eight of his 14 punts have been downed inside the 20 or have been fair caught. The Lions have allowed 51 yards on punt returns.