How Penn State DC Jim Knowles is adjusting in his first spring with the program
Jim Knowles does not always behave like most college football coaches. He meanders around during practice, observing what his players are doing and taking in how they’re performing in drills. And, at least when the media is present, he doesn’t say much.
That carries into his press conferences, too, where the Penn State defensive coordinator answers questions earnestly but quietly, leaning forward in scrums to respond to reporters who asked him those questions.
In a world of fire and brimstone, Knowles is an outlier — at least sometimes.
“I don’t know what quiet y’all heard,” defensive tackle Zane Durant said in early April. “He be loud when I’m out there. I don’t know about quiet.”
Knowles’ demeanor and practice viewing habits have allowed him to soak in his first few months as the leader of the Penn State defense. There has been a blending of what he does and what the program has done successfully under head coach James Franklin on defense to form what the unit will look like moving forward.
And just a few months in, Knowles thinks the group is just over halfway there when it comes to installation.
“I’d say we’ve gotten through a good solid over 50%, 60%,” Knowles said Tuesday night after one of Penn State’s spring practices. “I think we’ve made a lot of progress in a short time. ... I’m happy with the progress. We’ve gotten a bunch of things in.”
Knowles’ defenses have always been intricate, with the coordinator gameplanning better than most and deploying coverages and rushing schemes designed to confuse opposing offenses. This spring he’s been provided a quality foil — offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who has some of the most exotic offensive play designs in the country.
That relationship should prove to be a fruitful one for the Nittany Lions, with Knowles and Kotelnicki each learning from one of the best on the other side of the ball.
“Andy and I have a really good relationship,” Knowles said. “We do work together a lot, exchanging ideas. ... We do talk a lot. Probably more than anywhere I’ve ever been.”
One of the ways Knowles is able to do a lot on defense is by using a fifth defensive back as a versatile weapon. In previous seasons that has been a third safety, but can also be a third cornerback.
The demands of that spot are part of what makes it unique with the defensive coordinator — in part because there’s a heavy mental component to playing the position.
“There’s a lot of physical requirements. But I feel there is a bigger mental requirement,” Knowles said. “And you really need somebody who’s going to buy into it. A lot of guys have just been cover guys, and then they get in there and they start to get a taste for all the different things, and they like it. And they also start to realize that their future is bright because they can do other things.”
Navigating the transfer portal
One of the most difficult aspects of spring ball for Penn State is going to be navigating the portal window. The transfer portal is open for all players from April 16-25 — which means it closes before the Nittany Lions play their spring game on April 26.
That will not change when the team meets with its players for post-spring evaluations according to Franklin, but will require honest conversations from all parties throughout.
“It’s really kind of a ‘no surprises’ discussion,” Franklin said. “What I mean by that, if the players have any issues or concerns, we want them to come in and talk to us. ... I meet with the players a lot. And there needs to be a communication, a two-way street. Right now we’re not having meetings during spring ball, but there needs to be communication.”
There has already been one departure for the Nittany Lions, though, with offensive lineman JB Nelson leaving the program. He was fighting for a starting guard spot with Cooper Cousins, which should clear the way for the latter to take the spot.
And that should make Cousins another successful player for the Nittany Lions who began his career with them. That’s been the case for the program as it diverts from most others in modern college football — Penn State has successfully developed players out of high school and managed to keep them despite the allure of the portal.
That has been especially true at quarterback, where the Nittany Lions haven’t taken a transfer under Franklin. That continuity is a rarity in college football at that position — one that comes with a high profile and a high propensity for transfers.
“We’re a developmental program across the board — we believe in that,” Franklin said. “I also think early on, we kind of had to be that way, but I think it also is ingrained in who we are, in our DNA. I think we’re very upfront and transparent with people, and I think we’ve done a good job of developing that position. So the next guy up has had an opportunity to compete, and win the starting job and things like that. For the most part, that’s gone pretty well. We’re not opposed to doing it if we have to — but I’m a big believer, when you can promote from within, you know what you have. You know what you’re getting. And although the portal sometimes seems sexy, you don’t always know what you’re you’re getting until they show up on campus. So I think so far, it’s been it’s been good to us.”
Notes and observations
- J’ven Williams impressed in a few one-on-one reps. He’s slated to work behind Nolan Rucci and Anthony Donkoh at right tackle this season, but could see some time on the inside with guard JB Nelson set to enter the transfer portal.
- LaVar Arrington II looked good in one-on-ones against guards, but it’s important to note that in actual game action the guard would likely have more help against him. That being said, his athleticism is apparent and he should be a quality pass rusher down the line.
- It would be a surprise, assuming no additions are made in the portal, if two of the starting receivers aren’t Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross. The transfer additions have continued to impress and could be a step up from the players who they’re replacing from last season.
- That leaves one spot at receiver for another player to start, with Tyseer Denmark, Liam Clifford and Kaden Saunders competing to be the slot. Things can change between now and the start of the regular season but those five players seem to round out the top five for the Nittany Lions at the position.
- Quarterback Drew Allar’s arm talent is as elite as you’ll find in college football. He made a few very impressive throws during Tuesday’s practice.
- Backup quarterback Jaxon Smolik was also impressive, and looks to be moving well after suffering a long-term injury that kept him out of the 2024 season.
- Rucci and Donkoh were both absent from the practice during the viewing window, as were defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, linebacker Tony Rojas, safety King Mack, tight end Luke Reynolds and cornerback Zion Tracy. All of those players were absent in at least one previous practice when media members were present.
- Linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson, running back Quinton Martin Jr. and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer were absent as well, with all three being present in previous weeks.
- Knowles said safety Kolin Dinkins has stood out at his fifth defensive back position, as has Kenny Woseley. Tracy was the team’s nickel corner last season, but the role could require different responsibilities under Knowles.
