Penn State football's player-led leadership thriving

USA Today

4 days ago

When James Franklin took the stage at Big Ten Media Day, one of the first things he brought up wasn't the Xs and Os or the new Big Ten format. It was leadership. And not just the kind that comes from a headset on the sideline.
Franklin said flat out that this team is player-driven, and that's something he's been chasing for years.
It's one thing to have coaches barking out expectations. It's another thing when the players start holding each other to that standard. Franklin made it clear that in 2025, Penn State finally has that internal leadership he's been pushing for. Guys in the locker room are taking ownership of the culture. They are policing the energy. They are checking the effort in practice. That's rare.
He mentioned veterans who've stepped up and embraced mentoring roles without being told to. From Allar on offense to Abdul Carter on defense, there are guys setting the tone vocally and by example. They aren't waiting until Saturday to lead. They're doing it in the weight room, in the film room, during summer workouts.
Franklin even said some of the younger players are becoming vocal leaders already, which speaks to how strong the culture is right now. It's not about waiting your turn — it's about earning respect. And when a freshman or sophomore is calling out missed assignments or rallying a position group mid-practice, that means something's clicking.
This kind of accountability, Franklin says, can be the difference in close games. When the fourth quarter hits, and things get tight, it's not always about having the flashiest talent. It's about who's locked in, who's composed, and who refuses to let the moment be too big.
He credited the strength staff and position coaches for building that standard, but said the players took it and ran with it this offseason. Now they're setting the bar. Franklin even joked that this year's group doesn't need him hovering over every detail — they already know what's expected.
That type of leadership culture is contagious. It forces everyone to elevate. And when guys feel that peer pressure to not be the one holding the team back, you start seeing real accountability. That's how you win in the Big Ten. That's how you separate yourself in a 12-team playoff race.
Franklin made it clear; if Penn State is going to break through this season, it's going to be because the players led the way.