Let me set the scene. The post $85M James Franklin on Hot Seat Talk as Major Penn State Loophole Exposed After Orange Bowl appeared first on EssentiallySports.

With most of Penn State's talent returning, tight end-turned-college football analyst Adam Breneman is ecstatic to see whether his alma can again contend for a national championship next fall, making a bold claim about what Knowles' hire truly means.

The Athletic's Stewart Mandel is a preseason Penn State believer, placing the Nittany Lions atop his too-early top 25 for 2025. "I'm skeptical they can actually pull it off," Mandel writes, "but on paper, James Franklin's team deserves that status given how many players are returning."

The Nittany Lions return a high volume of talent from their 2024 roster — just as Michigan and Ohio State did to win titles.

The Philadelphia, PA native coordinated Ohio State defenses last two seasons leaves for Penn State looking to elevate themselves.