When James Franklin and Co. decided to bring in Jim Knowles, they didn’t just throw money at the problem—they made a statement. They weren’t just offering a $3.1 million paycheck, topping Ohio State’s $2.2 million; they were giving him full control. Because they knew Knowles had a mission, and that mission was clear: “My aspiration is to help Penn State win the national championship and be the No. 1 defense in the country.” That’s a bold statement from Knowles, but in college football, even the best coaches need the right weapons. And now, we’re getting a glimpse of Knowles’ secret arsenal in Happy Valley.
On the March 25th episode of Locked On Nittany Lions, Zach Seyko dropped some serious knowledge, revealing the dynamic duo Knowles is counting on: AJ Harris and Elliot Washington. These aren’t just your average cornerbacks. Seyko calls them “one of the better ones in the Big 10 conference, one of the better ones in the country,” and points out their “veteran experience.” Even though Washington wasn’t a full-time starter last year, he made crucial plays when he was in rotation. Now, paired with the five-star talent of Harris, PSU’s secondary is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with.
Think about it: Harris brings elite coverage and fluid athleticism, while Washington, as Seyko puts it, “arguably might be one of the fastest players on the team overall, so now you’re getting speed at that other starting cornerback spot.” After an impressive sophomore season where he racked up 26 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and an interception behind Jalen Kimber and AJ Harris, Washington is set to start opposite Harris this season. And Seyko’s intrigued, saying, “I’m very intrigued to see how these two continue to develop, and Penn State’s going to need it when you have the likes of Ohio State in your conference, Oregon.”
Because let’s be real, Penn State’s coverage hasn’t always been stellar. Some say Tom Allen’s defensive scheme played it too safe, giving receivers too much room. But with Knowles taking over, that’s about to change. He’s bringing an aggressive edge, pushing his defenders to lock down their assignments. Shutting down a guy like OSU’s Jeremiah Smith completely might be a stretch, but Harris and Washington have the speed and skill to make life difficult for top receivers. Harris, already a top outside corner with 48 tackles, 5 pass deflections, and an interception, is a solid tackler and plays the run well. He is set to shut down one side of the field again. And with Knowles’ system relying heavily on a dominant secondary, their development is crucial.
Sure, Drew Allar’s leading the offense in 2025, but the defense is stealing the show. With Harris and Washington anchoring the cornerback unit, and guys like Zion Tracy and Audavion Collins stepping up, Penn State’s defense is looking aggressive and dynamic. But even with all that promise, there’s a major spring football concern looming over James Franklin’s PSU.
The biggest concern for James Franklin and Co.
PSU is knocking on the door of greatness. Conservatively a top-five team, they have all the tools to make a deep playoff run. Now, as a semifinal appearance seems within reach, they are a true national title contender. But there’s one major hurdle standing in their way—defensive tackle. So, if they can shore up that position, the path to a championship becomes much clearer.
And Seyko summed it up perfectly, stating, “Defensive tackle is not in a good spot.” Although it could have been worse, Penn State caught a huge break when Zane Durant chose to return instead of heading to the NFL. We all know he was draft-eligible with a solid grade but opted to raise his stock for another season. So now, he’s poised to anchor the defense, emerging as a true superstar alongside Dani Dennis-Sutton.
So, heading into spring ball, we’ve got Durant locked in as a starter, but DT2 position? Alonzo Ford Jr.’s still very much in the picture. And let’s be real, Ford’s no slouch. Last season, he proved he’s one of PSU’s better rotational defenders. Right now, it looks like he’s stepping into a bigger role alongside Durant, probably DT2. But here’s the thing: even with Ford stepping up, there are still some big questions about depth and stability in that position.
And honestly, the biggest worry? Ford’s injury history. Those past Achilles issues, and then that season-ending setback against Minnesota? That’s got folks wondering about his recovery. Plus, you’ve got other guys like Kaleb Artis, who also had an injury late last season, though he mainly played special teams before that, and Xavier Gilliam, coming into the mix. So, yeah, Franklin’s got a bit of a puzzle to solve. He’s gotta figure out how to keep that defensive line solid, especially with Ford’s health hanging in the balance. Because if that defense stumbles, those millions thrown Knowles’ way? They’ll be wallowing in the mud.
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