Penn State's James Franklin: 'KJ is what's great about college football'

Frank Bodani
York Daily Record
Sep 29, 2018; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

KJ Hamler has been Penn State's brightest light when it comes to making game-changing plays, particularly within a struggling receiving group.

But it's much more than that for one of the smallest and youngest players on the team.

The redshirt freshman is listed at 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds.

And it does appear that he will be back for Saturday's homecoming game against Michigan State. Hamler left the loss to Ohio State and did not return after being hit in the head while making an acrobatic catch.

Coach James Franklin gave a short but positive response Tuesday when asked if Hamler would be back after last week's bye. 

Hamler is Penn State's second-leading receiver with 13 catches. But he has the most receiving yards (308) and touchdowns (four) to go along with a Big Ten-leading 23.69 yards per catch average.

He's third in the Big Ten in kick return average (26.2 yards).

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Again, though, it's more than the speed and production on the field, Franklin said.

'He's an energy-giver. His ability to make meetings fun, practices fun ... Coaches want to be around him and players want to be around him and that’s undervalued.

"KJ is what's great about college football. ... Never is he asking for the ball. The opportunities he gets, he makes the most of them."

Penn State's KJ Hamler (1) runs in for a touchdown after a catch as Ohio State's Isaiah Pryor (12) goes for the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

Hamler has been the surprising rock of a highly-touted receiving corps that has disappointed through five games. While junior Juwan Johnson leads the Lions with 17 receptions, including that one-handed marvel against Ohio State, he has dropped at least a half-dozen others.

Johnson let a touchdown catch fly through his hands against the Buckeyes.

Plus, senior DeAndre Thompkins has been invisible beyond the Kent State game and Brandon Polk has struggled as well.

Pro Football Focus counted Penn State's dropped passes as a Big Ten-worst 17 so far.

Franklin espoused his belief in the entire receiving group on Tuesday.

"That unit has a chance to be really special and I know it’s going to happen," he said. "Hopefully it's this weekend."

There also was no word yet on the debut of prized recruit Justin Shorter, who has yet to make his first college catch. Franklin would only say that a preseason injury has slowed his development.

Welcome back Shane Simmons

The Lions pass rush has not been as dominant as expected, particularly from the edge.

The good news is the return of sophomore Shane Simmons, who has not played yet this season because of an undisclosed preseason injury.

Simmons made 4½ tackles for loss in a backup role last year, and is bigger and stronger now, which should help more in defending the run game, Franklin said.

"We'll see how much he plays, but even if he gives us 10 to 15 plays Saturday, if he plays those reps at a really high level, it’s a win for us," Franklin said. "He's more of a complete player than he’s been in the past. We're excited about that."

New homecoming tradition

Penn State will arrive at Beaver Stadium Saturday afternoon with a new lead bus — filled with lettermen.

The former players will lead the Nittany Lions and coaches through the typical procession amid fans as they walk into the stadium 2 1/2 hours before kickoff.