Tag: West Virginia Mountianeers

James Franklin reacts to passing of Bobby Bowden

Penn State head coach James Franklin was among the many mourning the passing of Bobby Bowden

The college football world is mourning the passing of an absolute legend today. Bobby Bowden, the legendary head coach of Florida State, passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday.

Although he never worked under Bowden, Penn State head coach James Franklin was among the many around the coaching profession and college football world weighing in with some thoughts on the late icon.

“Bobby Bowden was a legend. His charm and ability to influence others in a very intentional way was unmatched,” Franklin said in a message posted on his Twitter account Sunday afternoon.

“As I started my coaching career, his program and mentorship was the envy of us all,” Franklin continued. “His impact on our profession will continue to be profound. May Coach Bowden rest in peace.”

It was just weeks ago we learned Bowden had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, believed to be pancreatic cancer. In October, it was reported Bowden had tested positive for COVID-19. Bowden also previously was treated for prostate cancer while he was still coaching at Florida State.

After starting his head coaching career at West Virginia, Bowden transformed Florida State in a national powerhouse program with 12 ACC championships and two national championships. Bowden’s 377 career victories are second-most in Division 1 history behind only Penn State’s Joe Paterno.

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What QBs in the transfer portal could be Penn State targets?

James Franklin says Penn State will only add a quarterback from the transfer portal if the right fit is available. So what’s available now?

Penn State has been active in the transfer portal this offseason. But if things do not develop as James Franklin hopes, it is possible Penn State could still target at least one more player out of the transfer portal to fill the depth at various positions, including at the quarterback position.

Franklin made it known what his preference is for the quarterback position on the roster at the beginning of the spring. While Franklin would consider moving forward with three scholarship players, he would really like to move into the fall with four or five. Sean Clifford is entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback after two years as the team’s starter, but the experience behind him is raw. With the transfers of Will Levis and Michael Johnson Jr., Penn State has just Taquan Roberson and true freshman Christian Veilleux currently on scholarship.

Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast: James Franklin’s spring expectations at QB

This makes the transfer portal all the more intriguing for Penn State if the need for another quarterback is pressing at the end of the spring. But Franklin made note that his program won’t add a quarterback out of the transfer portal just for the sake of numbers. Whatever quarterback is potentially pulled from the portal ahs to be the right fit for the Nittany Lions.

What qualifies as the right fit may be open to some interpretation, but this much we know. Penn State has hired Mike Yurich as the new offensive coordinator, and his offenses have tended to operate with quarterbacks lining up under center far more often than Penn State fans have grown accustomed to seeing in recent years. One of Penn State’s first recruiting victories since the hiring of Yurcich was the commitment of pro-style quarterback Drew Allar, suggesting Penn State is ready to move with a player more prone to a pro-style offense.

So, with all of that in mind, what are some potential options still lurking in the transfer portal? There are some interesting names to potentially keep an eye on, just in case. Here’s a look at who is still currently available.

Note: Source for updated transfer portal data comes from 247 Sports, as of March 28, 2021.