It’s officially West Virginia week, folks.

After a long offseason, we’re just a couple of days away from Penn State football taking the field again. It was a loaded press conference for James Franklin, who took the stand Monday afternoon for the first weekly press conference this season.

Franklin, now in his 11th season as the Nittany Lion’s head coach, spoke about the West Virginia game, Pat Kraft’s contract extension, the new in-helmet communication, green-lighting true freshmen, and the right tackle and wide receiver positions.

On The Matchup Against West Virginia

It’s been 360 days since Penn State defeated West Virginia 38-15 in Beaver Stadium week one last season. However, this year’s matchup is shaping up to be more of a challenge for the Nittany Lions.

After last season’s loss, the Mountaineers went on to finish with a 9-4 record and a bowl game victory. This year, Penn State is prepping for a hostile environment in Morgantown.

Franklin talked about the pros and cons of playing a tough opponent in week one versus playing a group of five or an FCS school like many major programs do.

“I think it’s really good because it motivates and prepares everybody. You better have your i’s dotted and t’s crossed and understand and be prepared for what that environment will be like,” Franklin said. “So I think it’s a positive, but I also know there are reasons people schedule lower level, out-of-conference games because there are going to be some things that show up in this game that probably won’t show up in game two or three.”

On Pat Kraft’s Contract Extension

Hours before Franklin’s press conference, Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft’s contract extension through 2032. The extension guarantees Kraft an average salary of $2.26 million per year and was passed unanimously by the Committee on Equity and Human Resources.

Franklin couldn’t be more excited for Kraft and spoke about the importance of organizational stability in today’s college athletics.

“He understands college athletics obviously and the changes that we’re under right now,” Franklin said. “That stability at the lead position in our athletic department is critical, so I think it was strategically the right thing to do.”

Franklin also noted Kraft’s character. He called Kraft a “fierce competitor” and mentioned Kraft’s ability to problem solve and overcome challenges within the athletic department.

“I think it’s really good for the university. I think it’s really good for the athletic department. I think it’s the right thing to do strategically for Penn State moving forward, so I am very, very happy about it,” Franklin said.

On The New In-Helmet Communication

It’s been a long time coming for in-helmet communication in college football. The NFL started using helmet tech in 1994, but with 2024 being the first season college teams can use the devices, Franklin said he plans to use it similarly to most NFL teams — one headset for the quarterback and the other for the Mike linebacker.

Franklin said using the headsets early in the offseason has been helpful. He also mentioned using the technology in the past couple of scrimmages with simulated crowd noise in preparation for game day.

However, Franklin said deciding when to use the headset versus sideline signals is still something they’re working out.

“Are you going to huddle on offense? If you’re going to huddle, then the quarterback can communicate with everybody,” Franklin said. “If you’re not going to huddle, how do you still get that communication between 53 yards, from one receiver to the other, essentially? And the same thing with the corners?

“So having a lot of conversations with NFL teams, some trial and error ourselves, incorporating noise for our offense when we’re on the road, and then our defense for when we’re at home, all those things. But I think it’s been good.”

On The Right Tackle Position

There may not be a true bonafide starter at right tackle this season. Similar to how Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton split starts and playing time, Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci and redshirt freshman Anthony Donkoh might do the same.

“We feel like the right tackle battle has been healthy and positive in terms of the amount of work those two have gotten in,” Franklin said. “We feel both of those guys are [guys] we can play with and win with.”

Franklin said he hasn’t told either player who will start Saturday and said that’s a conversation he’ll have with the staff on Thursday before telling the players on Friday.

“We’re in a pretty good place where we are at, in terms of the rotation, how much guys are going to play, that is really to be determined based on how they practice this week,” Franklin said. “I would expect to see a lot of both [Donkoh] and Rucci.”

On The Wide Receiver Room

After an underwhelming performance last year, the wide receiver room needs to bounce back this season. The addition of Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming and a healthy Trey Wallace should help, but Franklin highlighted Liam Clifford as someone who has improved overall this offseason.

The younger brother of former Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is in his redshirt junior season and Franklin expects him to take another step this year.

“I look at his college career in a lot of ways like his high school career, he just kept getting better every single year,” Franklin said. “He had a dominant senior year, had a really good junior year, and I think his college career is going about the same way.”

Franklin noted that Clifford is faster than most people think and also said how Clifford’s speed and catch radius gives him the chance to be a much-needed playmaker this season.

“He has really matured,” Franklin said. “We are anticipating him having a really good year for us.”

Kaden Saunders is another player looking to take another step this season as well. However, Franklin said the redshirt sophomore has been banged up in camp and has missed some time.

“Obviously, we’re hopeful that he’ll be able to go this week and be full go and be able to factor in for us,” Franklin said.

All offseason, Franklin has highlighted Fleming’s veteran presence in the room and on Monday Franklin quickly touched on the subject again. He attributed Fleming’s college football and Big Ten conference knowledge to his veteran status.

“I just think he’s one of the guys as a veteran older player, he’s very intentional about what he has to do to be successful in how he practices and approached his offseason on the jugs machine and all those things,” Franklin said. “I think he’s been really good for our receiver room and our team, and we’re happy he’s here.”

As for the depth in the room, Franklin said in 11 personnel he’s looking for two-deep at two of the receiver spots and a swing guy. They are close to that desired depth, according to Franklin, with Mehki Flowers, Tyler Johnson, Anthony Ivey, and true freshman Tyseer Denmark stepping up recently.

Although Franklin would like for all the younger guys to be ready to play in week one, in reality, he wants them to be ready by mid-season.

“It’s obvious to pinpoint and be able to single out the guys that are ready right now,” Franklin said. “Who are the guys we need to make sure we continue to pour into them and develop them so that they will be ready come game five of the season or somewhere around there?

“Those are guys that are going to need to step up for us and have shown enough that we’re excited about what they’re going to be.”

On Green-Lighting Two True Freshmen

There isn’t a set number of freshmen that will be full go yet this season, but Franklin said offensive lineman Cooper Cousins and safety Dejuan Lane are the two he decided to give the green light to on Monday. Franklin said the decision was a mix of how Cousins and Lane have conducted themselves this offseason, along with the depth of their positions.

Cousins and Lane, both true freshmen, were four-star recruits this past cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite ranking. Franklin spoke highly of Cousins earlier in August, saying Cousins “is as driven and as committed as a young player I’ve ever been around.”

Franklin described deciding on which players to keep active as a “moving target” and that he plans to make more decisions after playing West Virginia.