STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Head coach James Franklin scribbled notes on a piece of paper while offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki stood next to him and instructed. Across from them, assistant Marques Hagans led his wide receivers through drill work while most observers inside Holuba Hall peered in.
Julian Fleming reeled in a ball and cut upfield. He’s done this countless times, but now, for the first time, he’s doing it at Penn State. Kaden Saunders, the team’s top punt returner this preseason, looked more polished as he burst off the line. Liam Clifford, a veteran in this group, worked toward the front once again.
Harrison Wallace III, who missed the majority of last season due to injury — and who might be able to impact this group the most — looked smooth as he glided by reporters
“I’m ready,” Wallace said earlier Saturday during the team’s media day. A grin spread across his face, matching his confidence. “Just from the work I’ve been putting in, the things I had to go through. It’s time.”
Less than one week into the preseason, snippets of who these 2024 Nittany Lions might be emerged. Kotelnicki brings an energy that’s hard to miss. He wore boxing gloves and swiped at the ball as the offense ran through the gauntlet during practice. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s voice was shredded before Saturday’s practice even began. While no team captains have been named, Franklin said he’s seeing this group of players become more vocal. Leadership appears to be a non-issue after a summer spent figuring out who the new faces of this team would be.
The energy is electric.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/WL4bJBpKz5
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 3, 2024
“I can definitely feel there’s just more presence of leadership and vocal leadership,” quarterback Drew Allar said.
Here are some thoughts on Penn State following the team’s media day:
1. Kotelnicki said earlier this summer that backup quarterback Beau Pribula was one of the offense’s 11 best players. There will be some role for Pribula this season, even if it’s still unclear.
“It means a lot,” Pribula said of Kotelnicki’s praise. “That’s what I’ve always wanted in any way to be able to help the offense. Whether that’s playing quarterback, wide receiver, running back. Anything I can do, I’m willing to do it.”
Kotelnicki is known for his creativity, and while Pribula certainly has more mobility than Allar, was the backup tipping his hand when he mentioned potentially catching passes or lining up elsewhere?
“Coach K is very innovative,” Pribula said with a smile. “Sometimes I don’t even know what’s gonna be on the install the next day. Whatever he needs me to do.”
2. Defensive end Jameial Lyons and linebacker Kaveion Keys were removed from the team and are no longer enrolled at Penn State, the football program confirmed Saturday. When practices began on July 31, they were not present and on interim suspension.
Franklin would not further address either departure on Saturday. Last week during Big Ten Media Days the head coach did not acknowledge either player while discussing the depth in their respective position groups. Teammates didn’t mention Lyons or Keys either.
Lyons was expected to be a contributor this season after he flashed last year as a freshman. With Dani Dennis-Sutton starting and Abdul Carter moving between end and linebacker, Franklin pointed to Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert as two players they feel strongly about.
Freshman defensive end Max Granville reclassified and enrolled at Penn State last week. While it would be a significant leap to expect Granville to contribute this season, Franklin said they were unaware Granville planned to skip his senior year of high school until “pretty late in the process.” Granville has already been on the practice field and “flashed” during the first two practices, Franklin said.
3. Fleming has his degree from Ohio State. He still texts with Buckeyes linebacker C.J. Hicks and several of his former teammates. That place and the four years he spent there will always be part of his past that he looks back on fondly.
But, like all transfers and all college coaches who change jobs, Fleming knew before he stepped foot on Penn State’s campus in January he’d need to ditch his old clothes. All his team-issued gear from Ohio State — his favorite hoodies, sweats, anything red — couldn’t come with him.
“There is a lot of stuff that was in my wardrobe that is no longer in my wardrobe,” Fleming said. “It’s all in storage bins and stuff like that. It’s definitely something I’ll keep and cherish forever, but at this moment, we’re sticking with the blue and white.”
There’s a level of maturity to Fleming, who turns 24 in December, that teammates and coaches have raved about. He’s been a part of successful teams. He’s dealt with numerous injuries. He’s been on the field in big moments.
“He stepped into that leadership role that we really didn’t have in (our) room,” Wallace said. “He makes sure we do extra things. Takes us under his wings. Teaches the young guys things that he went through, things that worked for him.”
4. The middle linebacker and the starting quarterback will wear helmet communication for Penn State this season. This rule change, similar to how pre-snap communication works in the NFL, is something coaches and players have spent time this spring and summer getting used to. Teams will also be able to use iPads on the sideline to review in-game videos.
Kotelnicki said he needs to be mindful to not overload Allar with pre-snap information. He also doesn’t want to be screaming in his ear, either.
“I’ll tell him what the play is, remind him why we’re calling the play, and tell him what the play is (again),” Kotelnicki said. “That’s it.”
Allen said he’s reached out to players he previously coached who are in the NFL and have experience with in-game communication.
“I think it’s going to be an asset for us,” Allen said. “I think it’s going to allow us to really be more efficient with what we’re doing.”
5. Gone are cornerbacks Kalen King and Johnny Dixon, but Penn State should once again have a talented secondary. Franklin said the way cornerbacks coach Terry Smith constantly retools his room is “the model.” They’re confident with what they have in their top six cornerbacks. Franklin said cornerback Audavion Collins is perhaps the most improved player on the roster since last season ended.
While it’s unclear who the starting corners are, Franklin isn’t worried.
“We actually feel like that position from top to bottom could be better this year athletically,” he said.
(Photo of Julian Fleming: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)