Too early to name starters, but . . .
Slade is expected to get most work at RB
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — James Franklin doesn’t like to name his starters before it’s absolutely necessary.
So it should be no surprise when, after the Penn State football team’s practice Wednesday, Franklin joked that he will choose a starting quarterback “maybe by the bowl game.”
That quarterback battle, between redshirt sophomore Sean Clifford, the presumed favorite, and redshirt freshman Will Levis, the presumed backup, is among the highest-profile position battles for the Nittany Lions.
That’s natural, considering the importance of the position.
And though Franklin remained ambiguous, he shed some light on some of the many newcomers and potential contributors, beginning with a well-stocked corps of running backs. Penn State has a bevy of talent there with sophomore Ricky Slade the early favorite to get a majority of the touches among the group after serving as the backup for Miles Sanders last season while producing 257 yards and six touchdowns on 45 carries. Behind him, though, three talented running backs are fighting for playing time.
Redshirt sophomore Journey Brown has the edge in experience, albeit limited, since he got playing time in nine games in 2018, scoring one rushing touchdown.
Then there are the freshmen, Noah Cain and Devyn Ford. Both were highly touted recruits; both have impressed Franklin.
The problem for Franklin is that there’s a bit of a logjam for playing time. To add to it, all four are young enough that it could persist into the next few seasons. Franklin recognizes that it’s a good problem to have, but it’s a problem nonetheless.
“The reality is, is where we’re going, we should be recruiting like that every year at every position and guys come in and battle it out,” Franklin said.
“And, if guys are ready to play, they’ll play. If guys aren’t ready to play, they won’t. It’s pretty much that simple, but, in my opinion, the issue is that we probably need to be — we’d like it to be, in a more perfect world — more spread out in terms of classes.”
Much of the rest of Franklin’s focus this week was on depth. He mentioned the defensive line, where the Nittany Lions have returning talent with the likes of Yetur Gross-Matos, Robert Windsor, Antonio Shelton and Shaka Toney, but also some interesting young guys who likely will become factors.
Specifically, Franklin tabbed freshman defensive end Hakeem Beamon as someone who “has flashed.” He also pointed to freshman defensive tackle Joseph Appiah Darkwa, who was recruited out of Germany, as an impressive camp contributor.
“Our boy (Joseph Appiah) Darkwa, I mean, literally, steps off the plane, and we hand him equipment and throw him on the field, and he’s been impressive,” Franklin said.
The running back situation is a reminder that there are, obviously, limited snaps to go around, so Franklin’s praise for everyone could be taken for granted.
Even he admits he hasn’t even started thinking about who, among the freshmen, will redshirt and who will be expected to play right away.
“It’s way too early. We don’t usually do that until as late as possible. And it’s changed, obviously, with the four games that we can play them,” Franklin said. “But we haven’t come close. We haven’t even had those discussions as a staff yet.”
So, with any of the young guys, it might be a while until what impresses Franklin translates to on-field production.
Even if that’s true, Franklin’s encouragement gives a glimpse into who could compete in those battles for starting spots down the road.
“The reality is, is where we’re going, we should be recruiting like that every year at every position and guys come in and battle it out.” — Coach James Franklin, on the Nittany Lions’ crowded backfield