Penn State’s James Franklin praises Drew Allar, doesn’t name starting quarterback

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State fans will have to keep waiting for the preseason’s big announcement.

James Franklin did not name a starting quarterback Thursday afternoon, his first time meeting with local media since the Blue-White game on April 15.

Drew Allar is the overwhelming favorite to land the No. 1 job over fellow 2022 signee Beau Pribula. And yet, Franklin maneuvered his way around the question about whether he and his staff have identified their 2023 starting quarterback.

“Every year it’s the same philosophy. Sometimes it’s assumed, and I get it. But it’s competition at every single position,” Franklin said at the Lasch Building. “A lot of things can happen between now and the season. … We have competition at every position every year, returning starter or not. I think that’s the right thing to do.”

That being said, Franklin spoke glowingly about Allar when asked a few questions later about the former five-star prospect who backed up Sean Clifford in 2022. Franklin said Allar is “in a good place” in Year 2 of Mike Yurcich’s offensive system.

Allar has the physical tools to be special. He has the size at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds to shrug off sacks and fight through arm tackles. Franklin said he took Allar out to dinner recently, and the rising sophomore “tried to convince me that he’s leaner than he’s ever been even though he weighs more than he’s ever been.”

Allar also has the natural arm talent. Franklin recalled Fox color commentator Joel Klatt “drooling on the field” while watching Allar warm up before Penn State’s season opener at Purdue last season.

“But the thing that stands out to me the most, when he got into the Purdue game as a true freshman, he was super poised,” Franklin said. “You can do all the drills you want, throwing and footwork and run-game fundamentals. But at the end of the day, it’s hard to teach that poise in the pocket, and he just seems to have that.

“He’s efficient with his movement. Sometimes guys move more than they need to, and they move into problems. But just moving enough, keeping your eyes up, he showed some examples of that last year where he stepped up in the pocket and a big throw with pressure. And he makes people defend the entire field because of his arm.”

Franklin added that Allar is impressive in the meeting and film rooms, something he picked up on and learned from a year behind Clifford.

“So there’s a lot of things to be excited about,” Franklin said. “But we’ve got to build on it and take the next step.”

Injury clearances

Four key players missed spring camp: tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, defensive tackle Coziah Izzard and linebacker Tyler Elsdon.

Franklin confirmed that all four are “good to go” as the Nittany Lions go through summer workouts ahead of August’s training camp.

“We had a decent number of surgeries right after the season ended. That’s why we did it then,” Franklin said. “Obviously they missed spring ball. Now, they’re all back and ready to go. … They’re fully doing workouts and should be ready for camp.”

Theo Johnson update

Johnson was charged with two misdemeanors in April. Johnson was involved in a fight and is accused of punching a man in the face after he refused to leave a fraternity in February, State College police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.

At the time, Penn State released a statement: “We are aware of the charges against Theo Johnson. These alleged actions do not reflect the values and standards of our program and will be addressed. We will not comment any further as this is an ongoing legal matter.”

Franklin stuck by that Thursday, declining to delve into any details.

“For 10 years, we’re gonna have discipline in this program. We always have, and that will continue,” Franklin said. “But just like in the past, I’m not going to get into the specifics and details of those things. I don’t think there’s any reason and don’t feel like it’s necessary. We’re also going to do the homework on any type of incident and find out what really happened. Then, the penalty will align with that. But I’m not ever going to be quick to react until we have all the information.”

Palko’s move becomes official

On Wednesday evening, PennLive reported that former WPIAL coaching legend Bob Palko was set to join Penn State’s staff. On Thursday, Franklin confirmed that news.

Palko, who won nine WPIAL titles and two PIAA titles in his time at West Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon, will now serve as Penn State’s director of high school relations.

“Coach Palko’s a guy who I’ve known for a long time through recruiting. But we started talking about this four or five years ago if he had any interest moving into college,” Franklin said of Palko, who retired at West Allegheny in 2018 and resigned from Mt. Lebanon in 2022, citing health concerns.

“In a way, this is kind of a retirement job the way we have it structured and set up,” Franklin continued. “But you’re talking about a guy who understands the game, most importantly understands young men, and is another resource for them and for our staff. … Pretty cool to have him in the building.”

Terry Smith, Penn State’s cornerbacks coach and an Aliquippa native who coached Gateway from 2002-12, also weighed in on the addition of Palko to Penn State’s staff.

“You talk about a legendary coach, a legendary mind, a legendary person, we’re super excited for him to come,” Smith said. “We’ve been talking about this for years. … It’s a tremendous asset to Penn State football.”