Penn State, like many major college football programs, has avoided playing freshman on most occasions.
For one, players just out of high school are rarely ready for the physical strain of college football.
It’s equal parts safety as much as it is simply the fact someone else on the roster is already prepared and has years of experience under their belt.
But in some cases the talent is too great and the needs are too present to avoid playing true freshman from day one. And that’s the case so far with the four Penn State freshman coach James Franklin expects to see the field this year.
The players in question, corner John Reid, running back Saquon Barley, and receivers Juwan Johnson and Brandon Polk.
Beyond that there are 12 other players rated “yellow” by the coaching staff. Yellow being the second tier for player evaluation. Green ready to play, yellow an indication of players Penn State could play if need be but would otherwise redshirt, and finally red, a year or two from seeing the field.
“That’s based on their preparation and how they worked,” Franklin said after practice on Wednesday. “There’s a larger number than I’ve ever been associated with that I think we could legitimately play this year, and they would play well. We’re finally getting back to a little bit more of a normal situation.”
Franklin broke the news to the team this past Sunday, a move that would give all four players an extra week to mentally prepare for their first action at the college level. Being ready to play doesn’t mean they will be marquee playmakers just yet, but it’s safe to assume none of them are going to get into the action slowly.
Johnson will see the field in favor of 6-foot-4, 213 pound freshman Irvin Charles, Polk’s speed and strong summer was enough to get him into the receiver rotation. Barkley has been a force since hitting campus and Reid provides depth to an already talented secondary. All of the moves make sense, now it’s just a matter of finding ways to use them.
“I don’t think it’s one thing he did vs. a thing another guy did, but we were facing a situation that you can only play so many guys with the talent that we already have,” Receiver’s coach Josh Gattis said of the Johnson over Charles decision. “I think both of those guys are unique wide receivers. I’m really, really excited about the future of both of those guys. Obviously Juwan is going to be able to help us right now, but Irvin is going to be able to help Penn State win a lot of football games in the future.”
And as always, it’s the future that matters more to the program than the present. That’s how you build, and Franklin knows it.
“Every situation is kind of unique and different,” Franklin said. “We’re making decisions on what’s in Penn State’s best interest long term, and what’s in the young men’s best interest long term.”
The question now is if it’ll truly make a difference. And only time will answer that.
