Victory Bell Rings
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Penn State Football: James Franklin on competing with NIL

By Andrew Adair

Apr 21, 2018; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin rings the victory bell after the conclusion of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2018; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin rings the victory bell after the conclusion of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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The success of Penn State Football is no longer on the shoulders of James Franklin. Like it or not, it’s on alumni, fans, and donors.

If you repeat a phrase three times or more, you’re more likely to remember it. So repeat after me. Name, image, and likeness (NIL). Name, image, and likeness. Name, image, and likeness. Head Coach James Franklin will thank you later.

NIL is at the top of most major college football discussions this offseason. The discussion at Penn State is that they have fallen behind when it comes to NIL.

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after a 31-14 victory against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 06, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after a 31-14 victory against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 06, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

James Franklin held a press conference this week and made a plea to anyone that wants Penn State Football to be successful.

"“There is no long haul. It needs to be now. It needs to be yesterday. College football has changed probably more in the last five years than it has in maybe the previous 20. NIL is not a long haul” – James Franklin at his June 8th press conference"

Based on this comment alone, it would seem that Penn State is behind where James Franklin would like them to be. NIL is not the future. It is the here and now. NIL is now more important than athletic facilities or the ability of the school to get players to the NFL.

Franklin also had this to say during his press conference:

"“I guess the question is, if we want to compete with the schools that you guys all write articles about us competing with, why wouldn’t our number be the same as others?”"

James Franklin preaches competitiveness as his number one priority. NIL will be no different. After Ohio State Football coach Ryan Day went public about the amount of NIL money it would take to keep his team together, this is in direct response.

If you are entrenched in the old school thought that the players are being paid in tuition and room and board, you’re not going to like the future of college football. Penn State football will be an afterthought unless the fan base embraces NIL.

James Franklin wants to bring a national championship to Happy Valley. Fans want Penn State football in contention for national championships. There is only one way to get there now and that is by supporting NIL.

Here are the NIL Collectives that can be used to support Penn State athletics: Success With Honor, Nittany Commonwealth, and Happy Valley Talent.

Next. Four underrated recruiting targets for Penn State in the 2023 class. dark

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