James Franklin seemingly makes a QB decision for 2023, but not the one you thought
Penn State head coach James Franklin is really trying to convince the masses the competition for the starting quarterback job is a wide-open race between Drew Allar and Beau Pribula. Even if that is true and not just coachspeak, Franklin has yet to name his Week 1 starter when Penn State opens the season at home against West Virginia. But he has settled on his team’s third quarterback for the upcoming season.
While addressing a question about the quarterback timetable at Penn State media day on Sunday afternoon, Franklin said there is no specific timetable for announcing who the starter will be. But it seems pretty clear who the third quarterback will be; Jaxon Smolik.
“I’d say [Jaxon] Smolik has been kind of the surprise at camp so far, specifically in the quarterback room,” Franklin said during a press conference with the media on Sunday. “He’s one of those guys that although he is still learning the nuances of the position and the nuances of the offense in terms of in the meeting, when asked questions, he’s not where Drew and Beau are in terms of being able to answer questions in a meeting, but he’s just got a natural feel for the position on the field.”
Smolik is a true freshman in Penn State’s Class of 2023. The Iowa native was a three-star recruit according to his 247Sports composite ranking and he was expected to be no higher than third on the depth chart this season behind Allar and Pribula, and likely in that order.
The addition of Smolik to the recruiting class was a much-needed one after Penn State saw Christian Veilleux transfer (to Pitt) and one other quarterback commitment flip his commitment to another school. Ironically, Penn State managed to flip Smolik’s commitment from Tulane to fill the spot in the recruiting class.
But as for the ongoing quarterback situation at the top of the depth chart? Franklin continues to suggest no decision has been made even though it would be a total shock if Allar is not the one leading the Penn State offense in a matter of weeks when the season opens.
“In terms of decisions, you know, we are not announcing or making any decisions at this point, really, at any position,” Franklin explained. “It’s a competition, and we want to create competition at every position as long as possible, and I think it brings the best out in everyone. As you guys know, that’s really kind of how we have operated here for 10 years.”
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