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Penn State Football: Is trouble brewing with James Franklin’s team?

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 24, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 24, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football is in a rough position heading into the 2019 season and it has to do with attrition. Is something going on with James Franklin?

Another day, another de-commitment. Penn State has been struggling to keep players in Happy Valley this offseason, and that goes for 2020 class commits as well.

Since the end of the 2018 season, Penn State has had the most transfers of any program in the Big Ten and it seems like the depth has taken a huge hit. From NFL departures to key transfers — led by Tommy Stevens — the Nittany Lions have to feel uncertain about the immediate future.

Just days after losing a four-star commit in offensive tackle Grant Toutant to Ohio State, the Nittany Lions also lost four-star Aaryn Parks to a de-commitment. On Thursday, the Nittany Lions lost yet another commitment from four-star cornerback Josh Moten who admitted in a Twitter post that he pulled the trigger too early in his recruitment.

So with all of this attrition, including transfers, is there something going on in Happy Valley? Is there reason for concern?

There shouldn’t be since James Franklin is just a couple of years removed from a Rose Bowl berth and tough loss to USC. Over the past three years, Penn State is 31-9, so there definitely shouldn’t be any reason for concern, even after a “disappointing” nine-win season.

Transfers happen at every program and top programs can expect a lot of attrition, so that’s relatively normal.

The three de-commitments in a week, however, is concerning. The Nittany Lions’ 2020 class has gone from 13 pledges to 10 and the three losses were the top players on their board. That’s tough for Franklin and Co., but until there are rumors of Franklin being on the hot seat, there shouldn’t be much concern in Happy Valley.

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Penn State is in a tough spot heading into the 2019 season, but Franklin has won over the past three years for a reason. If the Nittany Lions miss a bowl this season, there should be some worry, but until then, they’ll be just fine.

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