FOOTBALL

James Franklin names team captains, talks leadership following Blue/White Game

If Penn State football is going to have a historic season, it needs new faces to lead the way.

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2023

James Franklin, Penn State Football, Penn State Football team captains

April 15, 2023. James Franklin looks on during the Penn State Blue-White Game. Credit: Gracie Carella // Basic Blues Nation.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — As the confetti was cleared off the Rose Bowl turf in January, one thing became clear: if Penn State is going to have a historic season in 2023, it’ll do so with new faces leading the way. On Saturday, Penn State football held its annual Blue-White Game, concluding spring practice for the Nittany Lions. The scrimmage was the first and last time we’ll see Penn State’s young core of leaders in live game action between Pasadena and the time West Virginia rolls into town in September. Leadership has been a topic of discussion this entire off-season, but the picture got a little clearer on Saturday. In media availability following the Blue-White Game, James Franklin named the Penn State football team captains for 2023 and further discussed how leaders are developing on this year’s roster.

James Franklin discusses the leadership of a young Penn State football team

When a program is filled with fifth and sixth-year players, it’s safe to assume that veteran leadership will be in the locker room. That’s where Penn State was in 2022, but that’s not the case going into this season. James Franklin has noted that leadership will be one of the biggest challenges for this year’s football team since the start of winter workouts. Following the Blue-White Game on Saturday, Franklin shed more light on what that leadership will look like.

“…our leadership will be different this year. We just had [last year] veteran, strong leaders that have been around forever,” Franklin said after the scrimmage. “You know, we had guys that had been multiple-year captains. So, it’s obviously something that we need to be aware of.”

But Franklin highlighted how, even if the 2023 team looks different from the 2022 Rose Bowl champions, its leadership can be just as effective. “… it’s gonna be different than it was last year,” Franklin stated. “So, instead of there being four to six really strong voices in the locker room, there may be 12 to 16 that are as strong as those four to six but still has the same impact kind of spread out.”

Franklin names Penn State football team captains

A dozen or more players may step up as leaders this season, but we now know the first three to be the tip of the spear for Penn State football. During his postgame comments, Franklin noted that the Nittany Lions had named their first 2023 captains on offense, defense, and special teams.

Keaton Ellis will be the defensive captain for the Penn State Nittany Lions this year. The State College native started in all 13 games for Penn State last year before deciding to return for a fifth season. On offense, Olu Fashanu will don the captain’s title in his second year as a starter. Fashanu shot up NFL Draft boards last season and was projected to be a top-10 pick before deciding to return for his junior season. On special teams, Dom DeLuca will pick up the mantle previously held by Jonathan Sutherland. A redshirt sophomore, DeLuca is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship spot in January.

Although he may look to add more captains this fall, Franklin expressed how Ellis, Fashanu, and DeLuca have already started to shape this young football team.

“…we will wait until we get through training camp and then possibly add three more on offense, defense, and special teams,” Franklin said. “But it gives us a really good understanding of who the team sees as leaders right now going into the summer…”

Penn State is a team with a lot of potential in 2023. But Saturday also showed that there is plenty to work on. By the time we see this team take the field again, we should have a good sense of how its leadership has grown and developed — or hasn’t — this offseason.

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FOOTBALL

James Franklin is pleased with new Penn State football transfer portal addition

James Franklin says a new Penn State football transfer portal addition is standing out so far.

Published

49 mins ago

June 8, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football, transfer portal, Dante Cephas, James Franklin

Apr 15, 2023; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks off the field following the competition of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Earlier today, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff had some time to speak with the media ahead of summer camp in Happy Valley. With the team’s newest signees suiting up and on campus now, it comes as little surprise to fans and the media that a new Penn State football transfer portal addition is already standing out during his short period in the Blue and White.

New Penn State football transfer portal addition already standing out

According to Penn State head coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions have a star in Dante Cephas, a new Penn State football transfer portal addition. Cephas is headed to State College after spending four years with the Kent State Golden Flashes, a member of the Mid-American Conference.

Cephas brings a large frame, quick hands, great footwork, and a fast release to the table for the Blue and White. He is expected to be a valuable weapon for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who many assume will be the Nittany Lions’ starter in Week 1 against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Today, James Franklin delved into what makes Dante Cephas special and shared his observations so far.

James Franklin breaks down Cephas

Below is just some of what the Nittany Lions’ head coach, James Franklin, had to say about Dante Cephas and his abilities thus far in the Blue and White. It’s important to note that these comments were made shortly after Cephas arrived on campus and before summer ball, but indications are that there are great things ahead for this new addition to the Penn State football transfer portal.

“He tested well in our initial testing,” James Franklin said earlier today during Penn State’s media availability. “I do think this level of training, no knock to anybody else or other programs or other schools, I do think this is different for him. And I think, in a lot of ways, that’s exciting because the lifting in the running is at a very different level. And I think his body really has a chance to explode and develop over the time that hopefully we have him. So far, so good.”

Dante Cephas has been receiving significant national attention since joining Penn State after the 2022 season. Just this week, he was recognized as a top Big Ten transfer by CBS Sports and was ranked among the top three wide receivers in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. It’s clear that Cephas is off to a strong start in the Blue and White.

FOOTBALL

BREAKING: 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules released

Penn State football has just learned which Big Ten opponents it will face under the new scheduling format.

Published

4 hours ago

June 8, 2023

Matt Thomas

2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules, Penn State Football

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) is defended by USC Trojans defensive back Ajene Harris (27) in the second quarter during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday afternoon, the 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules for football were announced. The announcement is notable given the addition of two new teams, USC and UCLA, to the conference. In a significant move for Nittany Lions fans, Penn State football will host USC in Beaver Stadium next fall, followed by UCLA in 2025.

Penn State football gets favorable Big Ten matchups in 2024

Penn State football will face a series of monster Big Ten opponents at home in 2025, including Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, and USC. The schedule also features several favorable road matchups, such as Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.

The 2025 schedule will present a challenge for Nittany Lions

While the 2024 schedule shakes out favorably for Penn State football, 2025 will be much more difficult. The Nittany Lions will host Illinois, Minnesota, and Rutgers in the 2025 season. However, the road slate will feature extremely difficult tests. Penn State will have to travel to several challenging venues, including Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, and USC.

Other notable features of the new 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules

As has been reported by several different outlets this afternoon, Penn State is not included in one of the protected rivalry games kept by the Big Ten. We are already seeing the impacts of this feature firsthand. Penn State will not play the Michigan Wolverines next season, nor will the Nittany Lions play the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025.

While this means that James Franklin and Penn State will no longer face the gauntlet of the Big Ten East, that does not mean the schedule gets easier by any means. The 2025 road schedule is nothing short of daunting, with games at Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, and USC.

Of course, we do not have the scheduled dates for any of these games yet, so the timings of these matchups will also greatly influence the strength of the schedule for the Nittany Lions.

Please note: This is a breaking news story. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

FOOTBALL

Penn State football: James Franklin thinks PSU may have the best defensive line in the nation

According to James Franklin, the Penn State football defensive line is coming together nicely thus far.

Published

6 hours ago

June 8, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football defensive line, James Franklin, defensive tackles

Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Dvon Ellies (91) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (99) after a sack during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Earlier today, head coach James Franklin had a chance to speak with the media for around 30 minutes at the Lasch Football Building in State College, PA. There, Franklin expressed his excitement about the Penn State football defensive line — specifically the defensive tackles — which he claims may be the best in the nation. Since last year’s crushing 41-17 loss to Michigan, the D-tackle position has been in question for Penn State, so this is great news for the Blue and White.

Penn State football defensive line is resolving questions with defensive tackles this spring

The Penn State football defensive line is looking like one of the best in the country right now — from the defensive ends to the interior of the D-line, the Nittany Lions are looking to make waves on defense and push for a Big Ten title this fall.

Following the Blue/White spring game at Beaver Stadium in April, James Franklin pointed out a major area of need for his Nittany Lions: more depth and experience at defensive tackle. Considering the loss of long-time star defensive tackle PJ Mustipher from the 2022 squad, Franklin’s concern appeared to be justified. However, today his message was different heading into summer camp.

“Probably the position I am most excited about right now, for a lot of different reasons, is defensive tackle,” head coach James Franklin said earlier today. “… We got a chance to have, I think, one of the best D-lines in the country — from a depth and talent standpoint — but also a size standpoint … right now that’s a position group that I am really excited about, that I think has a chance to take us to the next level on defense.”

2023 D-line, especially defensive tackles, could make or break the Nittany Lions’ season

A season ago, the Penn State football defensive line left many wondering how it would pan out down the road. Now, Franklin says that these questions are starting to be resolved.

“We’ve got a chance (to have a great defensive tackle group), we just gotta back it up with the work right now,” Franklin explained.

There have been a few notable names turning heads along the Penn State football defensive line this spring. One of the most talked-about rising stars is sophomore tackle Zane Durant, who has consistently been mentioned as a potential breakout player for the 2023 season. Additionally, players like Hakeem Beamon and Dvon Ellies were mentioned today as potential stars in the making.

“Zane Durant is bigger and stronger than he’s been,” Franklin said. “Hakeem [Beamon] is bigger than he has been in a long time.”

If this year’s Penn State football defensive line can step up and make a significant impact this fall, the Nittany Lions will have their best opportunity in quite some time to challenge the powerhouses of the Big Ten East, Michigan and Ohio State. It could pave the way for them to claim the program’s first Big Ten title since the 2016 season.