James Franklin expects Jim Knowles to shake things up, starting with Penn State’s base defense

It started out as question for James Franklin about Penn State’s nickel defensive back position and how junior corner Zion Tracy continues to evolve in that role.

The resulting answer was a little bit of everything from Franklin, including how new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is going to change things in an attempt to confuse offenses.

Franklin, speaking Monday at his weekly news conference ahead of Penn State’s opener vs. Nevada on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, said the Lions will lean on three players for the nickel spot when PSU wants to employ five defensive backs: Tracy, redshirt freshman corner Kenny Woseley Jr. and redshirt junior safety Kolin Dinkins.

“We feel really good about all three of them,” Franklin said.

Tracy contributed two tackles for loss, two interceptions, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup in 16 games last year. He saw plenty of action at the nickel spot.

Franklin said Tracy’s combination of athleticism and experience should make him even more effective in the fall.

Then Penn State’s 12th-year coach turned his attention to Knowles, the former Ohio State defensive coordinator.

“I also think, just schematically, some of the things that we’ll be asking not just Zion to do, but our whole defense to do, is one of the big reasons why Jim is here,” Franklin said. “How can we put our players in the best position to be successful? How can we break tendencies? How can we be more challenging to the offense and stressful to the offense with different schemes that look the same?

“How can we be less, in terms of coverage diversity, so that we’re not in a situation where people know we’re in man coverage, and they are giving us all man (coverage) beaters?”

Franklin added Penn State’s defense primarily will be in a 4-2-5 look instead of a traditional four-linemen, three-linebacker alignment. The Lions’ corner room is one of the team’s deepest positions.

“I expect Zion to have a big year for us,” Franklin said. “Again, I think all these things I mentioned, some of the scheme things we’re doing, are going to help him.

“The other thing is we were more of a 4-3 defense last year that played nickel. We’re going to be more of a major in nickel personnel now, and sub to 4-3 when we need to for more matchup reasons.”