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James Franklin has come armed with numbers before at the start of spring practice.
In his first three years at Penn State, though, the Nittany Lions’ coach was talking about low scholarship totals or the lack of seniors compared to the rest of the country.
This time was different.
As he concluded his spring press conference on Tuesday, Franklin stopped to read off some percentages he had in front of him — returning rushing yards from 2016, receiving yards, scoring, tackles. And so on.
For the record, those first four categories were 99.2 percent, 72.8, 87.4 and 72.1, respectively.
Penn State will return the bulk of its roster from a team that won the Big Ten and went to the Rose Bowl. That means a very different set of challenges for the Lions as they prepared for their first practice on Wednesday.
“We make sure our guys are approaching things the same way and that we don’t take anything for granted,” Franklin said. “That we understand that 2016 was nice, and that it was a great experience, but 2017 is a completely different animal.
“I think we’ve all seen that’s a difficult thing to do. There’s people that have shown success in small instances of time and brief moments of time, but the best teams and the best programs are able to sustain it. And that is easier said than done.”
QUARTERBACK
By the end of last October, Trace McSorley seemed to find his groove, a development that helped Penn State field one of the country’s most explosive offenses.
One of the goals this spring for the Lions is to make sure that it’s not just McSorley who can run the show if needed. Backup Tommy Stevens will have to be ready to take over an offense that exposes the quarterback to more hits.
“We really look at it as if we have two starting quarterbacks that we feel like we can win with,” Franklin said. “I think Tommy realizes that as well, and he needs to approach it that way for the long term. Because what I found in my 23 years (of coaching) is the minute you let your guard down, that’s when the opportunity comes.”
RUNNING BACK
Don’t expect to hear too much about Saquon Barkley during spring ball. The Heisman hopeful doesn’t have anything to prove, and the Lions aren’t about to risk his health in scrimmages this far away from the season.
That will leave plenty of opportunities for guys like Andre Robinson, Mark Allen, Johnathan Thomas — and former national No. 1 running back recruit Miles Sanders, who Franklin said is checking in at a lean 224 pounds.
“I think what happens a lot with these guys is in high school, they are the biggest, strongest, fastest guy, and they work hard, but it comes pretty easy to them,” Franklin said. “And then they get to college, and it’s a humbling experience.
“It’s welcome to college football. And you’re Miles Sanders, the No. 1 running back in the country, and you show up and Saquon Barkley is warming up (in the weight room) with your maxes. And the competitive juices get going and it has an effect.
WIDE RECEIVER
With Chris Godwin’s star quickly rising in NFL circles, the Lions are left to find a new No. 1.
There are plenty of candidates.
“Saeed (Blacknall) was a guy going into last season, we thought he was going to have a breakout year,” Franklin said. “And then had some injuries that (reporters) were not privy to, but kind of slowed him down in the beginning of the season.
“I expect the same thing. I expect him to have a huge spring and a huge offseason and go and have a monster year this year to stay healthy.”
On top of fellow veterans like DaeSean Hamilton and DeAndre Thompkins, the Lions will also use the spring take a longer look at rising sophomores like Irvin Charles and Juwan Johnson.
“Irv is a guy that has got a lot of ability, as much ability probably as any guy that I’ve been around in college,” Franklin said. “Him and Juwan are very similar in that way. And he showed some real strong flashes, and I think what you’re looking for in all young players is consistency.”
TIGHT END
With depth still a question mark, breakout star Mike Gesicki will take it easy over the next month.
Last year’s backup was Tom Pancoast, and he will be joined by Jonathan Holland and Danny Dalton, who are both looking to get on the field.
One name that bears watching is Nick Bowers, who looked solid enough while redshirting in 2015 to perhaps become the Lions’ second-teamer in 2016. But a serious injury knocked him out for all of last season, and his availability for this spring remains unknown.
From the sound of things, it might be a bit longer until Bowers is able to return.
“He’s a guy that we would love to get back and love to have a bigger role,” Franklin said. “We’re excited about him and what his possible role could be in our future.”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Many of the names will be the same. It’s just a question of where they all line up when the fall rolls around.
Connor McGovern and Ryan Bates will be starters. Seniors Brendan Mahon and Andrew Nelson, health permitting, figure to be there, too. McGovern will start the spring by moving from right guard to center, where he excelled at Lake-Lehman.
Flexibility means there are plenty of combinations still to try. Bates is capable of playing tackle, guard or center. Mahon has played guard and tackle. McGovern even opened last spring with a cameo at tackle before moving inside.
“I think (offensive line coach Matt) Limegrover has done a really good job,” Franklin said. “We have been forced in our past to be interchangeable just based on numbers. Now we’re doing it just to make sure that we can kind of get the best five on the field, or the best 10 in the two-deep situation.”
On top of returning veterans like Steven Gonzalez and Chasz Wright, the Lions will also get a longer look at redshirt freshmen like Michal Menet and Will Fries, both of whom could push for a starting job.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Competition here looks to be heavy for the entire year. Even for guys with starting experience like Parker Cothren and Curtis Cothran at tackle, there’s a Kevin Givens who will still see plenty of snaps.
More eyes this spring will be on the situation at end, as starters Garrett Sickels and Evan Schwan both must be replaced.
Torrence Brown, Shareef Miller and Ryan Buchholz all made their presence felt at times last fall. And the Lions redshirted a strong group of freshmen that includes Shane Simmons, Daniel Joseph, Ellison Jordan and Shaka Toney.
“An interesting guy right now, through testing and even last year, is Shaka Toney,” Franklin said. “Shaka’s nervous system is unbelievable. I mean, his speed, his quickness, his jumping ability, is really good. I mean, really impressive.
“He’s a guy that really showed flashes but was undersized, and he’s getting bigger. He’s still got a ways to go from that standpoint. But he’s shown some real flashes.”
LINEBACKER
Brandon Bell is gone. So is Nyeem Wartman-White, though injuries ended his Penn State career prematurely. Jason Cabinda is in line for a lighter spring workload as a well-established senior.
Plenty of opportunity, then, for younger guys to make an impact.
“We have a starting point, but there’s no doubt we’re replacing a lot of experience,” Franklin said. “Sometimes injuries are a blessing in disguise because it forces you to create more depth. …. So the fact that we were able to get some other guys some reps, some legitimate reps and legitimate games, I think helps with that.”
Expect to see a good bit of Brandon Smith flanked by Manny Bowen and Koa Farmer this spring. Cam Brown, converted safety Jarvis Miller and true freshman Brelin Faison-Walden will all get reps, though it sounds as though Jake Cooper — another player coming off of a season-ending injury — won’t be full-go until preseason camp.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Safety will be a spot to watch throughout the spring. Malik Golden is gone, and Marcus Allen will have a light spring like a few other vets.
Fellow senior Troy Apke will have his chance to earn a starting spot. Another name of interest is Ayron Monroe, who shook off some injuries at the start of his career to make an impact on special teams a year ago.
Franklin has been impressed with Monroe on and off the field.
“(After) meeting with him last night, I texted (safeties coach Tim) Banks that I was kind of just blown away by some of the things that were coming out of Ayron Monroe’s mouth,” Franklin said. “Perspective and growth and maturity and really taking an honest look at himself — strengths and weaknesses and where he needs to improve. It’s really cool.”
The Lions are more than set at corner with Grant Haley, John Reid and Christian Campbell all with plenty of experience. Also in the mix will be Amani Oruwariye and true freshman Lamont Wade, who has already turned some heads in the weight room.
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