Penn State’s 2025 Season: Is This Finally James Franklin’s Year?
For fans of Penn State football, the excitement surrounding the 2025 season is reaching a fever pitch. After years of “almost” seasons—most notably last year’s heartbreaking College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame—the Nittany Lions are entering the new campaign with more confidence and expectation than ever.
James Franklin, now in his twelfth season at the helm, has managed to hold together the backbone of his roster, keeping key talents like quarterback Drew Allar and star running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. This could be their best chance yet to make a legitimate run at a national title.
Franklin, known for his fiery emotions and animated sideline behavior, continues to divide opinion. While he’s built one of the most consistent programs in the country, his inability to win marquee matchups remains a sore spot. His record against Ohio State sits at 1–10, and many still refer to him as “Big Game James” in a less-than-flattering way.
But this season brings new hope—and new weapons. In addition to Allar’s return after a solid 2024 campaign where he threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns, Penn State has revamped its receiving corps. New arrivals include Kyron Hudson from USC, Trebor Pena from Syracuse, and Devonte Ross from Troy.
Hudson is seen as the big-play threat Penn State has lacked, able to make contested catches on the outside. Pena brings agility and speed to the slot, giving Allar a reliable target underneath. Ross, with his versatility and return game potential, is viewed as the unpredictable X-factor. Together, these additions provide Allar with a dynamic set of options and make Penn State’s offense far more unpredictable.
Reports from the offseason indicate that Allar and Hudson have already developed promising chemistry, even working out together in California. Observers from the “Locked in Nittany Lions” podcast were effusive in their praise, pointing out that Hudson has quickly earned Allar’s trust. Trebor Pena is also expected to play a major role in the slot, breaking Penn State’s trend of relying too heavily on tight ends, as they did with Tyler Warren last season.
This diversified offense could be the breakthrough Penn State needs. With a balanced attack, defenses will no longer be able to simply focus on stopping the run. Allar now has the tools to stretch the field vertically and exploit mismatches.
On the defensive side, Franklin made a high-profile move by bringing in Jim Knowles—previously at Ohio State—to revamp the defense. With Knowles in charge, expectations are just as high on the other side of the ball.
Still, national skepticism remains. Despite ESPN ranking Penn State preseason No. 1, many pundits are urging caution. Critics point to Franklin’s woeful track record in high-stakes games. He holds just one win against a top-five opponent in 16 tries and is 12–26 against ranked teams overall. His record against Ohio State and Michigan—a combined 4–16—is particularly concerning.
This has led to growing doubt about whether Penn State is truly ready to dethrone the sport’s powerhouses. Some argue that while the roster looks championship-ready on paper, Franklin still has everything to prove when it comes to winning the games that matter most.
So, can James Franklin finally shed his reputation and take Penn State all the way? That’s the burning question heading into a season loaded with potential—but also haunted by history.