Penn State Football: Depth Chart Settling as Game Week Approaches

Penn State coach James Franklin spoke to the media Tuesday evening following practice at Beaver Stadium just over a week from the Nittany Lions’ season opener against Purdue in West Lafayette. Like most coaches around the country who are closing in on the season’s first game, Franklin and his staff are in the midsts of settling on their team’s depth chart.

“It’s not even just some of the first teamers,” Franklin said on Tuesday. “There’s some heated battles going on between second and third [team]. So that’s literally what we’re going to try to do tonight and tomorrow – we’ve done it as a staff, I’m talking about having conversations with the players. Probably more of the discussions are between twos and threes and stuff like that, but that’s what we’ll be doing over the next 24 hours.”

Fortunately for Franklin and company Penn State finds itself in fairly good shape amongst projected starters. Quarterback Sean Clifford should be set to take over the offense of the fourth-straight season while a talented collection of receivers, running backs and tight ends should operate around a young but growing offensive line.

On defense a talented secondary and cornerbacks group should leave few people guessing while defensive line coach John Scott Jr should be well stocked in the trenches. New defensive coordinator Manny Diaz will have some questions to answer at linebacker, but a handful of options at his disposal. On special teams the biggest question marks are at returner and punter, but Jake Pinegar should solidify his role once again as a field goal specialist – if not more.

All told Franklin shouldn’t have to make many difficult calls for his starting unit – especially on a team in which second unit players often see the field. Nevertheless, there is always some level of explaining – and consoling – that comes with the announcement of the depth chart.

“They’re tough conversations are tough to have as a coach,” Franklin added. “They’re tough to have as a player to hear. I would also say that for all of us, and coaches and players specifically, being self aware, I think is a really important trait to have and allows you to grow. If you’re self aware – 90% of the conversations they should see it if they’re being honest with themselves – ut as we all know, that’s that’s not always the strength of everybody is being self aware.”

Of course being self-aware is half the battle, but it doesn’t change the outcome. On the heels of the departures of running back Caziah Holmes and defensive end Ken Talley, Penn State won’t be happy to lose any more players to the transfer portal just days ahead of Week 1. Then again, anyone leaving now wasn’t likely set to influence the Nittany Lions’ upcoming season.

For Franklin the best tool at his disposal at this phase of the year is the data that backs up those decisions. Coaching is feel, but as player tracking, film and technology improves, the data can tell the story for you.

“The other thing that I think helps […] is we have all the data from every competitive period that we have in practice, whether it’s a team period, whether it’s a seven on seven period, whether it’s an individual one on one rush so we have all that data for two reasons. Number one, so the coach has the data to back up what his gut is telling him “I think this guy’s a stater, I think this guy’s the backup, I think this guy is his third on the depth chart” and not only do I feel that way, but the data backs it up.”

“But that’s also valuable to show guys. “What do you mean? [I’m not starting]” Well, here’s the data. I think the data is powerful because it’s very black and white. And most of them, they’re not judgment like one on one pass rush, that’s a bit of a judgement, but one on one receiver vs defensive back? Either you caught the ball or you didn’t. So it’s pretty black and white. I do think that’s valuable. […] There’s always gonna be some hurt feelings with some of the conversations we have to have. And I think it’s fine, that means you care. It means you’re invested. But then you gotta move on.”