Will special teams lead Penn State back?

James Franklin knows his fan base expects more from his Nittany Lions – in some ways more than anything since NCAA sanctions struck in 2012.

Could much-improved special teams play actually ignite it all?

Better kicking and punting is one thing, but Franklin also hinted that rising star tailback Saquon Barkley could seen an increased role in the offense and on special teams, like Stanford Heisman Trophy candidate Christian McCaffrey.

Franklin was talking at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, the head coach about to enter what he describes as a "pivotal" third season at Penn State. He said improvement could come from most every corner for his team, especially since he finally has a full allotment of 85 scholarships.

He also mentioned a critical depth and experience build-up at receiver, running back and along the offensive line to help his new quarterbacks. That increased tailback depth, which includes Mark Allen, Andre Robinson and Miles Sanders, could explain why he's toying with allowing the ultra-talented Barkley to use his skills elsewhere.

Penn State football's grand pedigree was born in 1954

Like in returning kicks. The dilemma is this: Do you want your star tailback – voted one of the Big Ten's 10 players to watch this fall – exposing himself to more hits and injuries? Of course, standout linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White was lost for the season in the last year's opener when he tore his ACL on the punt team.

"An area I'm excited about as much as anywhere is on special teams. It's an area I don't think people talk about enough," Franklin said.

He then pointed out how his Lions returns every snapper, kicker and punter from last year's team, though, the special teams play was mostly shoddy, yet again.

Rather, the key was that "we were able to go out and add a few more through recruiting," he said.

He's speaking of possible new starters in true freshman punter Blake Gillikin and kicker Alex Barbir, both from Georgia.

Of course, Franklin said he can't truly evaluate their kicking abilities yet. But the progress reports from teammates and the strength and conditioning staff have been as positive as possible.

"Both of those guys were high-level athletes. We like to recruit specialists who are athletes who happen to kick rather than guys who only kick," Franklin said..

"One great thing is that it is a true skill. Whether you're in high school punting the ball or in college punting the ball, the skills are still exactly the same. ... This is just, 'Can you handle the stage? Can you handle the stage of being on national television, of being in front of 100,000 people, and can you still do your routine?

"Those guys have been kicking and punting at a high level for a while, so they're going to make it interesting."

It could be a big upgrade, potentially. The Lions settled for consistent but limited field goal kicking from Tyler Davis last fall. Punting has not been a bright spot since 2011.