NO NITTANY LIONS EXPECTED TO SIT OUT CITRUS BOWL
But all Nittany Lions are focused on the Citrus Bowl
STATE COLLEGE – Penn State coach James Franklin sought to dispel a misconception about his NFL draft policy. Despite what people think, he doesn't try to convince every player to return.
Take Saquon Barkley, for example. Franklin advised the former Whitehall High star a year before the 2018 draft to leave early. Now, he's having similar conversations with the handful of players who might enter the 2019 draft.
“To me it's not about convincing them to stay,” Franklin said Friday at the team's bowl media day. “It's, ‘Let me give you all the information that I can get based on my resources and contacts so that you can make an educated decision, make a great decision.'”
Franklin expects all of his draft-eligible players to play in the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl against Kentucky. That includes defensive tackle Kevin Givens, receiver Juwan Johnson, offensive lineman Connor McGovern, defensive end Shareef Miller, running back Miles Sanders and defensive tackle Robert Windsor, all of whom have one year of eligibility remaining.
All except Givens and Windsor, who were unavailable Friday, said they will play in the bowl game and announce a decision afterward. Miller, a two-year starter who made seven sacks this season, said he has made his decision but is waiting to announce.
“I just want to win,” Miller said. “The most important thing is to help my team win in any way possible.”
Franklin met with those play-
ers and their families after the Maryland game to discuss options and feedback from his NFL contacts. Further, the players have applied for evaluations from the NFL's College Advisory Committee, which offers three analyses: first-round pick, second-round pick or stay in school.
Franklin said he works on the same model, though he understands other factors affect each player's decision. Barkley was a no-doubt first-rounder. Others, like Sanders, are looking at varied evaluations.
Draft Tek, which ranks prospects, by position, lists Sanders as the No. 9 running back of the 2019 class. McGovern is Penn State's highest-rated underclassman, ranking fourth at center and fifth at guard. Miller is No. 11 at edge-rusher.
“What I always try to tell our guys is, ‘Why would you ever declare early in the process?'” Franklin said. “… You make that decision after the last game. Then, between then and the draft, 15 other juniors come out early. Why would you make that decision? You want to have as
“I just want to win. The most important thing is to help my team win in any way possible.” — DE Sahreef Miller
much information as you possibly can to make a great decision. The later you can do that, the better.”
Eight players left early for the draft in Franklin's first four seasons, with Barkley being the only first-round pick. Three others (Christian Hackenberg, Austin Johnson and Donovan Smith) were second-round picks.
For the most part, Franklin's early entrants have been successful. Barkley is a rookie-ofthe-year candidate for the New York Giants. Receiver Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay) and tight end Jesse James (Pittsburgh) are key offensive players. Smith has started 61 consecutive games for the Buccaneers.
Elsewhere, Hackenberg is out of the NFL, and playing in the startup Association of American Football. Garrett Sickels, who went undrafted in 2017, is on the Los Angeles Rams' injured-reserve list. Deion Barnes, who went undrafted in 2015, is out of football.
“If the guy leaves early, and he's a first- or second-round draft choice, that's good for him and his family. That's also good for Penn State football,” Franklin said. “If he leaves early and gets drafted very late or not drafted at all, that's bad for him and his family, and that's bad for Penn State football. We're really working together here.”
Miller, who has finished his classwork, has to complete an internship before graduating. He wants to do that with an organization like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America or Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Asked how he wants to be remembered at Penn State, Miller smiled.
“If it's my last game, I just want Penn State fans to remember me as a guy who gave everything he's got,” Miller said. “Coming from where I came from, having that support from the Penn State fans, was really great.”