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Who Should James Franklin Hire to Replace John Scott Jr.?

Several former Nittany Lions could be of interest to fill the coaching vacancy.

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James Franklin
Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the field during a warm up prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

James Franklin and the Penn State football program will kick off their highly anticipated 2023 season with the start of spring practice in less than two weeks. However, before they can begin their push for a Big Ten championship and beyond, the Nittany Lions must make a last-minute coaching hire.

On Monday, news broke that defensive line coach John Scott Jr. was leaving Happy Valley to take the same position with the Detroit Lions. James Franklin confirmed the story later on Twitter.

Who Should James Franklin Hire to Replace John Scott Jr.?

Obviously, the timing of the departure could be better, with winter workouts wrapping up and spring ball starting following the mid-semester break. But the NFL is the pinnacle of the sport. Having a staff member make that jump is ultimately a positive reflection of the coaching talent amassed in Happy Valley.

This vacancy interests me because – unlike the wide receiver search earlier this offseason – several names with Penn State ties immediately come to mind. And no, I’m not including Larry Johnson Sr. on this list.

Elijah Robinson, Defensive Line Coach, Texas A&M

Elijah Robinson is a name that is likely at the top of many Nittany Lions fans’ wish lists. He was high on the list the last time this position was open three years ago.

The New Jersey native’s connections to Penn State run deep, having spent over a decade with the program. Robinson was a member of the Nittany Lions’ roster between 2005 and 2008 but had his playing career cut short by an injury in 2006. He served as a graduate assistant under Joe Paterno from 2009 to 2011 – an era that produced defensive linemen like Devon Still, Jared Odrick, and Aaron Maybin. Following the coaching change in 2012, Robinson spent two years under Bill O’Brien as an NFL liaison and director of community relations.

After leaving Happy Valley, Robinson spent five years with fellow Penn Stater Matt Rhule as defensive line coach at Temple and Baylor. Robinson has been the defensive line coach at Texas A&M since 2018 and was given the title assistant head coach last season. While in College Station, Robinson has helped produce the SEC’s second-best rushing defense in 2018 and the nation’s third-best rushing defense in 2020.

Pulling Robinson away from Texas A&M would be a tall task, as the Aggies’ war chest runs deep. But it would, without a doubt, be a homerun hire. Robinson is one of the fastest-rising assistant coaches in the game, with deep ties to Penn State. On top of what he can do with the talent on the field, Robinson has connections with many NFL staffs and could help revive Penn State’s recruiting presence in New Jersey.

Deion Barnes, Analytics Coordinator, Penn State

Deion Barnes may be the most obvious choice to replace John Scott Jr., but the move would also come with the biggest risk.

Of course, many fans remember Barnes from his days donning the Blue and White. Part of JoePa’s last recruiting class, Barnes recorded 99 tackles, including 26.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, between 2012 and 2014.

After a short-lived NFL career, Barnes returned to his native Philadelphia as a coach at Northeast High School. In 2020, he rejoined the Nittany Lions’ staff as a graduate assistant. He was quickly recognized as an emerging talent in the coaching ranks. In fact, it was touted as a massive success when James Franklin kept Barnes on staff as an analyst after his three years as a graduate assistant ended following the 2022 season.

Barnes also has vocal support from several former Nittany Lions. At the NFL Combine on Wednesday, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher went on record with his thoughts about Barnes.

“I want Coach Franklin to hire him,” he stated. “I think he should because he’s put in a lot of work with our defensive line.”

As Mustipher’s comments made their way around Penn State circles, this sentiment was reiterated by former Nittany Lion Aeneas Hawkins and current Atlanta Falcon Arnold Ebiketie.

Hiring Barnes would go over immensely well with Penn State fans. Barnes is a beloved former player who has become one of Lasch’s shining stars. He has significantly impacted the players he’s interacted with. Barnes also plays a critical role in recruiting Philadelphia. He almost certainly will be a successful coach one day.

However, the caveat is that this would be a significant step up for Barnes. It’s one thing to believe in a largely unproven talent. But it’s quite another to take a leap of faith in a year when the expectations for Penn State football are already sky-high.

Sean Spencer, Defensive Line Coach, Florida

Sean Spencer certainly doesn’t need an introduction with the Penn State faithful.

Spencer spent six seasons riding his motorcycle around State College as a member of James Franklin’s staff between 2014 and 2019. John Scott Jr.’s position was actually created by Spencer’s departure in 2020 when he left to become the defensive line coach for the New York Giants. After spending two seasons in the NFL, Spencer returned to the college ranks to coach the Florida Gator’s defensive line in 2022.

The defensive line was one of the strongest units in the program when Spencer was at Penn State. In 2014, Penn State finished third in the country in scoring defense. The Nittany Lions led the nation in sacks in both 2015 and 2018. Between 2015 and 2019, Penn State had at least 40 sacks in each season. This is the longest such streak in program history.

This move is the most unlikely of the three I’ve listed. I don’t necessarily see Spencer making a linear move back to Happy Valley. However, Florida is having a turbulent offseason, with three assistant coaches leaving the program in a week. Florida finished under .500 in Billy Napier’s first season in Gainesville. Perhaps the relative stability and familiarity of James Franklin and Penn State would entice Spencer.

Round and Round it Goes

The coaching carousel is fun to watch until it hits too close to home. This hire may not feel as critical as the wide receiver search did in January. But, despite talent on the edge, the line was the weakest link of the defense last year.

If James Franklin can hit the mark in this latest coaching search, then Penn State can look to elevate what was already a stellar defense in 2022.



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Penn State football yet to name a starting quarterback heading into summer camp

The Penn State football starting quarterback situation remains unresolved heading into the summer.

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Penn State football starting quarterback, Drew Allar, James Franklin
Apr 15, 2023; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) 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. — Yesterday, the media was invited back to State College to speak with a few members of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff for the first time since the Blue/White game in mid-April. During the press conference, head coach James Franklin was asked about the unresolved QB situation, which was last discussed during his previous media appearance. His response was straightforward: there is currently no designated Penn State football starting quarterback.

Penn State football starting quarterback yet to be named ahead of summer ball

This fall, the Blue and White will have a new quarterback for the first time since 2018. For the past four years, Sean Clifford, the Lions’ former 6th-year QB, was assumed to be the Penn State football starting quarterback ahead of all four seasons.

Throughout the offseason, the competition has been primarily between two individuals: Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, both entering their second season with the Nittany Lions. However, head coach James Franklin emphasizes that the starting quarterback position for Penn State football is still up for grabs as the team heads into summer ball.

“I think really every year it’s the same philosophy,” James Franklin said on Thursday. “I think sometimes it’s assumed, which, I get it, but it’s competition at every position. A lot of things can happen between now and the season; even when Sean Clifford was here … he was competing for the starting job every single year. If he would get beat out, that was his problem, not mine.

“We have competition at every single position every single year, returning starter or not,” Franklin continued. “I think that’s the right thing to do — not only for our entire program, but I also think for the starter.”

Drew Allar is expected to take over despite the decision pending

While James Franklin is yet to name a starting quarterback for the 2023 season, it is widely assumed that former five-star prospect Drew Allar, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class, will secure the position and become the starting quarterback for Penn State football.

Blue and White fans have been eagerly anticipating the start of the Allar era in Happy Valley for years. If everything goes as expected, fans won’t have to wait much longer, as the Nittany Lions will kick off their 2023 season against West Virginia in just 85 days.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter 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. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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2023 Penn State football offensive line ranked in top 10

Today, the 2023 Penn State football offensive line was ranked among the nation’s top 10.

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2023 Penn State football offensive line
Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) gestures from the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Today, new rankings were released by 247 Sports, a trusted publication in the world of college athletics, which ranked the 2023 Penn State football offensive line among the top 10 best units in the nation. A season ago, the Nittany Lions’ offensive line showed shocking improvement as they helped lead the Blue and White to an impressive 11-2 campaign, which was capped with a Rose Bowl win over Utah.

2023 Penn State football offensive line ranked among top 10 nationally

In 2021, the Penn State football offensive line was perhaps as bad as it has ever been, leading to a stagnant rushing attack, an injured quarterback, and overall offensive failure. As a result, the Blue and White made a few staff changes, and these new faces, combined with rising young talents like Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, brought the Nittany Lions back to success on the offensive side of the football.

For the first time since 2018, Penn State had a 1,000-yard rusher, and they nearly had two of them. Additionally, Sean Clifford had a chance to make decisions and throw the ball with his feet set, resulting in an improved passing game and overall success. By the end of the season, Penn State football had 11 wins, with all but one of those wins being blowouts, including the Lions’ huge win in the Rose Bowl.

Heading into the new season, the expectations for the Blue and White are growing higher and higher. The 2023 Penn State football offensive line is projected to be even bigger and better than the 2022 line. If the Nittany Lions expect to appear in the College Football Playoff or make a run at the Big Ten title this year, it will start with their performance up front.

According to today’s new rankings from 247 Sports, the 2023 Penn State football offensive line ranks among the nation’s top 10, coming in at No. 8 ahead of the new season. Fans will get their first glimpse of this new-look offensive line this fall when the Nittany Lions host the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter 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. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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Penn State football: Best wins over 2023 opponents – Iowa

It took all 60 minutes – literally – but Penn State football escaped this game at Kinnick with a victory.

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Penn State Football, Iowa
Sep 23, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps over Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Joshua Jackson (15) and defensive back Amani Hooker (27) as Nittany Lions wide receiver Juwan Johnson (84) looks to block during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Penn State won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Today, we continue our series of the best Penn State football wins over 2023 opponents with Iowa. Penn State’s best wins over the Hawkeyes have come at the price of some heartache as well. The two schools met nine times before the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten, with Penn State winning six matchups.

Starting conference play, it seemed the Nittany Lions would continue this advantage, winning four of their first five contests with the Hawkeyes. But then the trouble started. Iowa dominated the series in the early 2000s. Some of the major letdowns include the infamous 6-4 game and a heartbreaking last-second loss in 2008 that cost the Nittany Lions a shot at the national championship.

Since 2011 Penn State has won most of the matchups, but the last contest in 2021 left a bad taste in the mouths of Nittany Lions fans. Penn State will look to cleanse that in this year’s matchup in Happy Valley under the lights of a Beaver Stadium White Out.

However, of all the matchups, there is one game and resulting Nittany Lion victory that stands out in this series. This would be the 2017 contest in Kinnick.

Saquon Barkley was an inhuman force for Penn State football

A game in Kinnick Stadium is never easy. The fans are raucous and sit right on top of the players. The stadium’s design literally puts the stands as close to the sidelines as possible. If it is a night game, then the atmosphere turns up tenfold.

That is precisely what the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions faced in 2017. Both teams entered the contest undefeated, and the Hawkeyes had developed a reputation for upsets. Iowa’s last three home contests against top-five foes all ended in victories. The Hawkeyes looked to make Penn State its latest victim on this late September night.

But Saquon Barkley did his part and then some to ensure the Nittany Lions would be on the winning end. He finished the game with 211 yards on the ground with a touchdown, and added 12 receptions for 94 yards. His standout play of the night was this beauty that has gone down in Penn State football folklore.

It took all 60 minutes to beat Iowa

The game was quite sluggish to start. The teams traded punts through most of the first half, with Penn State converting a field goal, missing another, and getting a safety to lead 5-0 late in the second quarter. Then Trace McSorley would throw an interception, setting up the Hawkeyes deep in Nittany Lion territory. Iowa converted the opportunity into a touchdown to take a 7-5 halftime lead.

The Nittany Lions led 15-7 after three frames. But then the Iowa offense finally woke up. Running back Akrum Wadley scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, giving Iowa a 19-15 lead with just one minute and 42 seconds remaining in the game.

It looked like the Hawkeyes would pull another upset against a top-five foe. That is, until McSorley, Barkley, and the Penn State offense went on one magical final drive. Juwan Johnson’s touchdown catch, the first of his career, silenced the Kinnick crowd as time expired. 

Penn State won and kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive for several more weeks, until back-to-back close losses against Ohio State and Michigan State dashed those dreams. But the Nittany Lions finished the season with an 11-2 record and a win over Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite the season not ending in a playoff berth, the game against Iowa is one Nittany Lion fans still remember fondly.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter 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. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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