James Franklin: True freshman QB to get ‘a lot more opportunity’ in Penn State football preseason camp

Next week, Penn State football enters preseason camp down a man in the quarterback room following an injury to redshirt freshman Jaxon Smolik. But the setback creates an opportunity for true freshman Nittany Lions quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer in his first few months on campus, says James Franklin.

Speaking to reporters at Big Ten Football Media Days on Wednesday, the Nittany Lions head coach highlighted how the injury to Jaxon Smolik impacts his quarterback room. A midyear enrollee, Grunkemeyer will be the benefactor of Smolik’s absence, particularly in the early weeks of fall camp.

“So Grunk will be a part of that, you know, [quarterback] competition,” Franklin said. “And obviously, when one guy’s not cleared yet to practice fully, [he] is going to get a lot more reps and a lot more opportunity, where probably leading up to this, you know, Beau [Pribula] and Drew [Allar] are in a competition, and probably Smolik and Grunk were in a competition.

“I mean, they’re all ultimately competing for the starting job, but just based on experience and what they’ve done, that’s probably how it would have played out. And Grunk and Smolik would have split those reps with group three [on the depth chart], Where now, at least during training camp, Grunk will get most of those.”

What’s the status of Jaxon Smolik?

It was first reported, and later confirmed by Franklin, during spring practice that Jaxon Smolik would miss a period of time with a “significant injury.” On Wednesday, Franklin provided an update on Smolik’s status.

“Smolik’s going to be a little bit longer in this process until he’s full go,” he said. “So, [it’l]l make it difficult for him during training camp to be competing for a job. But he’s done a really good job mentally. He’s very far along in the process.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware of this or not; this is the second time he’s done that. So, I think, sometimes that’s helpful is, when these guys have had significant injuries – and that’s kind of what I mean in terms of injuries – he’s had significant injuries before. The guys that are going through it the first time, they struggle because they’ve never been through it before. He’s been through a significant injury before, and I think it’s really helped him in his approach and his maturity about how to handle it.”

Despite highlighting Smolik’s recovery progress, James Franklin didn’t provide a timeline for his return to the field. As a true freshman, the Iowa native took two snaps against Delaware.

What can Penn State football expect from Ethan Grunkemeyer?

Ethan Grunkemeyer had one of the most impressive recruiting profiles of the entire 2024 cycle. A three-star prospect when he committed to Penn State football in May 2023, the Olentangy (Ohio) quarterback rose nearly 800 spots in the national rankings to become a top 10 quarterback and a borderline top 100 player by National Signing Day.

“We recruited Ethan because we’ve seen over time that he’s got a chance to be a really talented player in the Big Ten and nationally,” James Franklin said in December. “He’s proved that, over his entire career, and really over the last probably year and a half, he has really taken it to a different level.

“His high school and his high school coach did a phenomenal job with him,” he continued. “His QB trainer [Brad Maendler], as you know now, we’ve got history with him. He’s done a great job with him as well. His family has done a great job. This kid is wired right. He’s been raised right. Discipline and structure at his high school. Discipline and structure in his home.”

Enrolling in January, Grunkemeyer made the most of his first spring as a Nittany Lion. His first on-field action was limited, going 4-8 for 11 yards with one interception in April’s Blue-White Game.

However, speaking of Grunkemeyer’s progress in March, James Franklin was most optimistic about what the true freshman could look like after a summer of work. With more reps now coming his way in August, this preseason camp will be another prime chance for Ethan Grunkemeyer to take a step forward in his first year with Penn State football.

“Grunkemeyer is really flashing and doing some nice things right now as a true freshman quarterback,” Franklin said. “What I’m most excited about is he showing flashes right now; how is he going to be in the summer, when he’s had really kind of all spring and all early summer to grind on the playbook, grind on the installs? Watch a ton of Kansas tape. Watch a ton of Penn State tape. Where will those guys be?”

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