You ever watch someone fumble the bag in real time? Like, heart-thumping, soul-snatching fumble? That was Drew Allar in the Orange Bowl. Final drive, under a minute, legacy on the line — and boom, pick city. Lights out. Penn State’s season, gone with the wind like it owed somebody money. Now fast forward to spring ‘25 — the same QB, the same coach, and a whole lotta pressure to not fold again. James Franklin just spoke on it… and let’s just say he not sugarcoating no more.
Drew Allar might’ve led Penn State to 13 wins last season, but ask any fan what they remember and it sure as hell ain’t the win column. It’s that final play against Notre Dame — a pick so brutal, it felt like the football gods themselves had a grudge. Allar tried to go deep to Omari Evans, but Christian Gray read that boy like a bedtime story. Next thing you know, Notre Dame hits the walk-off field goal and sends Franklin and Co. packing. That one throw? It changed everything. Now, everybody thought Franklin might start side-eyeing his QB after that collapse. But nope. Man doubled down like a blackjack table on fire.
On April 15th, James Franklin faced the media after spring practice and lit it up when asked about Drew Allar’s improvement heading into big 2025: “You know, he’s a veteran guy. He’s played a ton of football since his freshman year… he’s played a ton of football since his freshman year…he just continues to get better. He’s super mature….he’s a team-first guy. I think he takes a ton of pride in Penn State, and he’s been a leader really not only for the offensive line but for the offensive unit and for our team.”
That ain’t just coach-speak — that’s a man who’s all-in on his guy. Franklin knows Allar ain’t perfect, but he sees the grind. From three-star recruit to 3,300+ yards and 24 TDs last season? That don’t happen by accident. It happens with reps, Ls, and comebacks. Yeah, the Orange Bowl was nasty — but you can’t erase a whole season off one slip. James Franklin got big boy expectation for Drew Allar: “I think he’s got a chance to have a really, really good year for us. And I think he’s got a long-term bright future. So I think a lot of our guys—and I think he’s a good example of it—they understand the value of being at Penn State.” James Franklin’s 3-17 against top 10 teams, and 1-15 against top 5. James Franklin can’t afford to take anymore L against top dawgs in 2025 season, Drew Allar’s gotta step up, big time.
Franklin didn’t just gas Allar up — he practically gave him the keys to the damn offense. Said he’s the voice in the locker room, the glue of the squad, “They understand the value of competing against these guys every single day at practice and then the league we play in. So I think he’s a really, really good example of a young man that’s maximized his Penn State experience.” Translation? Allar’s still that guy in Happy Valley, and Franklin’s betting his house and his job on him.
James Franklin Reveals High Hopes for Tyseer Denmark
While the Allar-Franklin duo preps for vengeance, there’s another name turning heads up in Happy Valley — Tyseer Denmark. Second-year wideout, former Oregon flip, and now? A rising weapon James Franklin isn’t shy about hyping. “Proud of him,” Franklin said about Denmark. “I think he’s got a bright future..it’s time now. We need him to take that next step, and he is more than capable of being a big-time player in this league as a redshirt freshman.”
That’s not fluff. That’s pressure. And Denmark seems ready to wear it like a chain. Let’s be honest — Penn State’s WR room was looking like an empty fridge late at night. Fleming, Clifford, and Evans? They did their thing, but none of them really popped off in 2024. That’s why Denmark’s glow-up is hitting at the perfect time. After flashing during camp last year and catching a last-second TD against Maryland, Franklin’s done babysitting. He needs Tyseer to slide into a starter role, and fast.
Denmark only saw 43 snaps last season, mostly in garbage time. But his patience was different. “What really helped me a lot last year with staying patient is this saying I’ve got for myself — It’ll always get greater later,” Denmark said on Tuesday. “The man above always has what’s best for you, he always knows the route for you. You can’t rush your process. You can’t rush your time. And then I had guys in front of me that helped me with the process.”
The locker room was huge for him. Clifford, Fleming, Warren — they made sure lil’ bro stayed tapped in even when the minutes were dry. “I was like a little brother to them,” he said. “Wasn’t even a bad thing not playing. It helped me get my mind right for next fall.” And now? The leash is off. Special teams coach Justin Lustig already threw Denmark’s name into the punt returner battle. That’s just step one. Franklin’s real ask is way bigger: consistency. Physical, mental, the whole nine yards. “Consistency’s everything,” Franklin said. “He’s got the ability to help us this year. We need him to. We just gotta get him to be more consistent.”
Denmark’s not ducking the challenge either. “I can’t just make one play, then fall off the next…I gotta prove I can be that guy — every snap, every route, every time.” With Fleming and Clifford gone, it’s wide open out there. And if Denmark keeps stacking spring reps like this, he might just be the breakout name in 2025. The Gators got Lagway. The Wolverines got Bryce Underwood. But up in Beaver Stadium? Tyseer Denmark might be the secret sauce that takes Allar’s redemption arc from theory to reality.
Because Penn State’s margin for error? Thin as floss. If Allar slips again, or if the WRs fall flat, 2025 could be another “almost” season. So yeah, Franklin’s got expectations. For Allar. For Denmark. And for himself. But pressure builds diamonds, right? We’ll find out real soon if Penn State’s been mining gold… or just fools.
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