Penn State’s James Franklin preparing for busy month of roster management before Rose Bowl

James Franklin was sitting in a Kansas airport when he called in for Sunday’s Rose Bowl teleconferences. That’s the life of a coach in December as bowl destinations are announced and recruiting pushes are finalized.

Franklin is looking forward to facing Utah in “The Granddaddy of Them All” on Jan. 2. He said “the Rose Bowl holds a special place in a lot of people’s perspectives,” including his. Pasadena provides Penn State with a unique opportunity to improve to 11-2 at a hallowed venue on the national stage against a top-10 opponent.

“The history and the tradition of the Rose Bowl speaks for itself,” Franklin said. “We had a phenomenal experience last time we were involved (six years ago), and our players and staff could not be more excited about making the trip again.”

But between managing the transfer portal and securing the 2023 recruiting class, there’s plenty for Franklin and that staff to take care of before heading west to square off with the Pac-12 champions.

“We have it all mapped out,” Franklin said, giving credit to chief of staff Kevin Threlkel. “Right now, balance is a good word. We’re trying to split our time between finishing up this traditional recruiting class, obviously having an awareness of what’s going on in the transfer portal, which is about to hit hot and heavy here pretty soon. It’s making sure that we met with all of our current players before we left and making sure our guys finish strong academically. And they’ll continue to practice.”

For the time being, practices are more developmental before getting Utah-specific. Players are around campus, wrapping up the fall semester with finals week on the horizon. And as Franklin mentioned, many have had conversations with him or their position coaches about where they stand in the program.

That’s imperative with the transfer portal, which opened Monday for undergraduate FBS players. Prior to this season, the NCAA instituted two periods — one from Dec. 5 through mid-January and another in May — in which players can enter their name into the portal. Quarterback Christian Veilleux and defensive lineman Rodney McGraw recently announced they’ll be looking elsewhere, and others could follow.

Franklin’s hoping he and his staff aren’t hit with any stunners.

“You’re trying to have open, transparent conversations, and you hope the relationships that you built all the way from the recruiting process and through all this that they’re comfortable enough to come in and talk to their position coaches or are comfortable enough to come in and talk to me and be honest,” Franklin said. “We want to understand what they’re doing, and hopefully we can help them and advise them. That’s also so we can plan for Penn State moving forward and know what’s coming and not be surprised by anything.”

On the flip side, the Nittany Lions are going to try to bring players into the fold to fill needs. South Florida wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., who will announce his next school on Christmas, put Penn State in his finalists Sunday. The Nittany Lions also have offered Rhode Island lineman Ajani Cornelius and will be interested in former verbal commit and Oregon transfer receiver Dont’e Thornton.

That’s something to keep an eye on. Same goes for players mulling over decisions regarding the NFL Draft.

Franklin said he expects “almost the entirety of our team” to play in the Rose Bowl.

“Playing in that type of game and on that type of stage against an opponent like Utah, I think it helps,” Franklin said.

One player who definitely won’t be is cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who last week declared for the draft and said he’ll forgo the postseason. Franklin, speaking for the first time since Porter’s announcement, said he’s proud of the projected first-round pick. The North Allegheny graduate ended his collegiate career with a senior day win over Michigan State after missing the previous two games with appendicitis.

“For him to be able to fight and battle and try to come back as quickly as he did from his medical situation,” Franklin said, “I think that was telling of his commitment to his teammates and his commitment to this program and university.”

Other than Porter, no one has declared for the draft or opted out of the bowl. Olu Fashanu opted to return. Franklin said the tackle’s New Year’s Six status is still up in the air medically. If any other Nittany Lions choose to go to the NFL, they likely will make those announcements after the Rose Bowl.

In the meantime, Franklin and his assistants need to keep recruiting.

The 2023 class, which ranks 13th nationally per 247 Sports, stands at 19 members and has a few spots open ahead of the early signing period Dec. 21. The staff was on the recruiting trail all weekend from Florida to the northeast. The Nittany Lions are pursuing talent across the country. Laurel Highlands star Rodney Gallagher Jr. and Coffeyville Community College (Kan.) lineman Keyshawn Blackstock are a couple of names to watch.