Connect with us

FOOTBALL

James Franklin: A Penn State football transfer addition is set to ‘compete for a starting job’

This second year player who arrived from the transfer portal could be ‘competing for a starting job’ according to James Franklin.

Published

on

Penn State football, James Franklin, Omari Evans
Penn State football head coach James Franklin smiles as he answers a question from a member of the media during football media day at Beaver Stadium on Sunday, August 6, 2023, in State College. © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

As the grueling Big Ten schedule passes by, each team in the conference has to evaluate depth at each position. But one of the most important positions for depth to be built for the Penn State football team is defensive tackle. That’s an area where the Nittany Lions have struggled in the past, but there’s a player in his second year with the program who could be a depth difference maker. James Franklin has recently praised former Old Dominion DT Alonzo Ford for his progress in fall camp.

The Penn State football faithful expected to see Alonzo Ford on the field in 2023. Unfortunately, his season never got started due to an injury suffered last summer. But now, he’s back and gearing up to be a contributor for the Nittany Lions this fall. Zane Durant, Dvon Ellies, and Coziah Izzard make up the core rotation, but James Franklin believes Ford could be thrown into the mix as well.

“He’s been a real pleasant surprise, he really has,” Franklin said about Alonzo Ford. “Very good against the run. I think as he continues to gain confidence and get his body back from that amount of time off with his injury, I think he’ll get better and better and better in the pass game.

“We were excited about hopefully what he would have been able to do last year, but we hadn’t really had a chance to see him a whole lot. So, he’s been a nice, pleasant surprise for depth inside. And I think as he continues to get back into football shape, I think he could be competing for a starting job.”

What has Ford accomplished on the field?

Penn State football, James Franklin, Alonzo Ford

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Sometimes injuries make people forget how impactful a player was before. Alonzo Ford’s first year of college football was canceled due to COVID-19. So, in 2021 he took the field with the Old Dominion Monarchs. During the 2021 season playing for former Penn State football OC Ricky Rhane, Ford started in all 13 games.

He accounted for 38 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and .5 sacks. Then, during the 2022 season, he ramped up his production. He had 32 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. While he had fewer tackles, his disruptive plays increased on the gridiron.

Ford eventually entered the transfer portal in the spring of 2023. He committed to Penn State on May 3 and enrolled on June 12. Ford now looks to take the lessons he learned from last season and his recovery and apply them to his skill set on the field.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation! Please follow us on all of our social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube) and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. 

Former Editor-In-Chief at Victory Bell Rings, Morgan is the current Site Manager for Basic Blues Nation, host of the Basic Blues Podcast, and co-host of the weekly Penn State Roar Room spaces. Morgan lives in upstate New York with his wife and cats.

Trending



Copyright © 2024 Basic Blues Nation. All Rights Reserved.

Website designed by ShayanXtreme

Step into the dazzling universe of Golden Crown Casino, where every spin of the reel and flip of the card could be your ticket to fortune. Our cutting-edge platform combines sleek design with heart-pounding gameplay, offering an unparalleled gambling experience that keeps you coming back for more.

At PlayCroco Casino, adventure lurks around every corner. Whether you're chasing massive progressive jackpots or testing your skills at our live dealer tables, the excitement never stops. With lightning-fast payouts and generous bonuses, your next big win is always within reach.

Sharpen your strategy at Richard Casino, where skill meets chance in perfect harmony. Our innovative game mechanics and high RTP slots give savvy players the edge they need to turn the tables in their favor.

Descubra el lujo en Spin Samurai Casino, donde cada giro es una oportunidad para reescribir su destino. El juego nunca fue tan emocionante.

Step into the dazzling universe of Golden Crown Casino, where every spin of the reel and flip of the card could be your ticket to fortune. Our cutting-edge platform combines sleek design with heart-pounding gameplay, offering an unparalleled gambling experience that keeps you coming back for more.

At PlayCroco Casino, adventure lurks around every corner. Whether you're chasing massive progressive jackpots or testing your skills at our live dealer tables, the excitement never stops. With lightning-fast payouts and generous bonuses, your next big win is always within reach.

Sharpen your strategy at Richard Casino, where skill meets chance in perfect harmony. Our innovative game mechanics and high RTP slots give savvy players the edge they need to turn the tables in their favor.

Descubra el lujo en Spin Samurai Casino, donde cada giro es una oportunidad para reescribir su destino. El juego nunca fue tan emocionante.