James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State has been marked by a consistent yet elusive pursuit of greatness. With a 1-15 record against AP Top 5 teams over his 11 years, including a narrow 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, the narrative around Franklin is clear: good, but not great.
This sentiment extends to his recruiting prowess. While Penn State’s recruiting classes consistently rank within the top 20 nationally, they seldom break into the top 10. The 2022 class stands as a rare exception, playing a pivotal role in Penn State’s first College Football Playoff appearance. Despite falling short of a national championship, Franklin has managed to give himself another shot, thanks largely to his strategic focus on player retention in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
Franklin’s ability to retain talent, particularly from the standout 2022 class, is noteworthy. Players like Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen, among others, have stayed committed to the program, bolstering Penn State’s chances for the 2025 season. Despite losing stars like Abdul Carter and Kevin Winston Jr. to the draft and others to the transfer portal, Franklin retained enough talent to keep Penn State in the championship conversation.
Key Retained Players from 2022 Recruiting Class
Drew Allar, QB*
Nicholas Singleton, RB*
Kaytron Allen, RB*
Zane Durant, DL*
Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE*
JB Nelson, OG*
Zakee Wheatley, S
Dominic DeLuca, LB
Nick Dawkins, C
Smith Vilbert, DE
(* denotes 2022 recruiting class member)
For Penn State to become a perennial contender, Franklin must replicate the success of the 2022 recruiting class more consistently. If these elite classes remain sporadic, the onus is on Franklin to capitalize fully when they do. The upcoming 2025 season presents another golden opportunity, but Penn State’s success will ultimately hinge on Franklin’s ability to break through the formidable competition in the Big Ten and beyond.
