At Big Ten Media Day, James Franklin didn’t just talk about Drew Allar or the playoff push. He doubled down on something that doesn’t always make headlines. That would be player development. And honestly, this might be the most important part of Penn State’s whole 2025 plan.
Franklin made it clear: this program is built to develop. Whether it’s freshmen just getting to campus or veterans waiting for their shot, the standard doesn’t change. Every player on that roster is expected to grow, stay ready, and be part of the two-deep mindset that Franklin constantly pushes.
He said the staff takes pride in making sure the development happens year-round, not just when the lights come on in the fall. It’s about how guys approach spring workouts, summer camp, and even the recovery process. That focus on the process is how you build depth that lasts.
This year’s roster has a lot of veteran leadership, but Franklin’s emphasis wasn’t just on the names we already know. He talked about needing players across the depth chart to be game-ready. That’s why they treat reps in practice like game reps. He doesn’t want a drop-off when a starter comes out. The next man up better be ready to ball.
You could feel the trust he has in the staff to keep that standard across every position group. Whether it’s on the o-line, the linebackers, or special teams, the same message to be ready applies.
And the impact of that mentality is real. It shows up in the film room, the weight room, and when the season hits full swing. Franklin knows the grind of a Big Ten schedule, and he’s not trying to survive it with only 22 players. He wants 44 ready to go.
If Penn State is going to make a serious playoff push in 2025, it’s not just about the starters. It’s about the depth, the development, and how the entire roster embraces that next-man-up energy. Franklin made it clear that that is what will separate the good teams from the great ones this fall.