RB3 Battle

Lazy Dave

Well-known member

Good point here. No Warren, no Pribula, who gets the load? Martin and Smith would seem to be the front-runners for RB3, but Wallace previously held the role before injury. And who knows what we have in the 2 true freshman yet.

Do we start using Reynolds this way? He looked Warren-esqe on the fake punt run.

What about Grunk and or Smolik? I don't think either fit the ZRO mold, but Franklin has long deployed a mobile QB package dating back to the Tommy Stevens Lion position.
 
I don’t see us having a 2nd Qb package since neither are Pribula like in their running skills. And I really hope Allar is just on the field every play unless we’re up 30.

For 3rd RB, PSU is stacked with talent. Quinton Martin was a 4 or 5 star coming out of HS and has been loyal. I’d like to see him return kickoffs. Sounds like Tikei Hayes, the freshman, is pretty good too and Smith. That will be an interesting competition.

Id also like to see what happens for 3rd string TE. With Rapp back and Olesh in the mix, Kotelnicki must be up late at nite scheming new plays. Should be interesting.
 
There has to be pretty real competition for those 3rd RB carries. I don't see the 2nd QB taking much of any. Reynolds or another young TE may steal a few. But we need to have a real competition for RB1 and 2 for next season. I think 3 or 4 of the young RBs all get their shot. If there is a hot hand, maybe they take the RB3 job more outright. But I don't think we want to lose Singleton and Allen to the draft and then another couple of young guys to the portal that feel like they won't get their shot. We need all of that young talent back in 2026.
 
I don't understand why Beau and Warren being gone affects RB3. I don't think RB3 will be on the field much. I see the departures of Beau and Warren as an opportuinty for Dinkins, RBs 1/2, and WRs. I suspect we'll see two back sets, Singleton in motion, and becoming a slot reciver as he has good hands and is a great open field runner. We also didn't run a lot of bubble screens last year.

My only real question is who is our changeup QB if any? I don't think our backups are any better runners than Allar. Do we have someone in the wildcat for short-yardage situations like Warren did last year? If so, who, Dinkins, Ripp, Reynolds? I wouldn't be shocked to see Tony Rojas playing some offense as it has been reported that he's running 4.4 40s at 235 lbs.
 
I don't understand why Beau and Warren being gone affects RB3. I don't think RB3 will be on the field much. I see the departures of Beau and Warren as an opportuinty for Dinkins, RBs 1/2, and WRs. I suspect we'll see two back sets, Singleton in motion, and becoming a slot reciver as he has good hands and is a great open field runner. We also didn't run a lot of bubble screens last year.

My only real question is who is our changeup QB if any? I don't think our backups are any better runners than Allar. Do we have someone in the wildcat for short-yardage situations like Warren did last year? If so, who, Dinkins, Ripp, Reynolds? I wouldn't be shocked to see Tony Rojas playing some offense as it has been reported that he's running 4.4 40s at 235 lbs.
I agree that Dinkins/Reynolds/etc., RB1&2, and WR will see more of the production. RB3 could as well. I also don't think that we need a changeup QB. We ride Allar and get the next 2 experience in mop up time so that they are ready when their time comes. I always felt that the QB changeup sometimes takes away from their continuity and flow. Yes, it can give a new look for a defense. But I think Allar runs enough to force them to account for the QB run.
 
I'd rather see Martin win the RB3 job and then Smith or Wallace return KO's. Martin is a bigger framed RB and although he has the speed to return KO's I'm hoping his future is mainly as a RB. Hayes has gotten praise from the staff but with all the options for KO returners I don't see Franklin using a true freshman in that role. More likely would be Hayes and Coleman redshirt and don't play much or at all. There already be 3 RB ahead of them in tenure that will be under utilized due to Singleton and Allen getting almost all the carries until games are decided this Fall.

With Hayes and Coleman as true freshmen and then the 3 somewhat older RB's (Martin, Smith and Wallace), and then at least 1 RB coming in as a 2026 true freshmen (Mickens now committed) RB attrition after this coming season in inevitable. That's 6 or 7 RB's projected to be on scholarship for 2026.

So I expect at least 1 from among Martin, Smith and Wallace to be on another team before Spring practices begin in 2026. It's just the way college football works now.

I believe whoever wins the backup QB position in Fall camp will get snaps in the OOC games. But other than that I see Franklin going back to his pre-Pribula QB position management where he would only have sub packages for a QB with top running abilities whe a QB on the current roster qualifies as such. Without a QB that offers top running ability Franklin has been very conservative in substituting QB's such that he didn't give the backup snaps when he could have to end games and that came back to hurt the team when the backup was needed due to minor injuries.
 
Last edited:
I agree that Dinkins/Reynolds/etc., RB1&2, and WR will see more of the production. RB3 could as well. I also don't think that we need a changeup QB. We ride Allar and get the next 2 experience in mop up time so that they are ready when their time comes. I always felt that the QB changeup sometimes takes away from their continuity and flow. Yes, it can give a new look for a defense. But I think Allar runs enough to force them to account for the QB run.
totally agree. I don't think JF will want to take meaningful snaps away from RB1&2. I did like the wildcat in short yardage and can see that happening again. What made Warren effective is his ability to pass. When he was on the field, he could go into motion and the D had to account for him running the ball, going deep, breaking off a route, screens and passing.

Also looks like Allar lost about 5 lbs and converted a lot of baby fat to muscle. At 235, he can be a load as a short yardage runner.
 
I'd rather see Martin win the RB3 job and then Smith or Wallace return KO's. Martin is a bigger framed RB and although he has the speed to return KO's I'm hoping his future is mainly as a RB. Hayes has gotten praise from the staff but with all the options for KO returners I don't see Franklin using a true freshman in that role. More likely would be Hayes and Coleman redshirt and don't play much or at all. There already be 3 RB ahead of them in tenure that will be under utilized due to Singleton and Allen getting almost all the carries until games are decided this Fall.

With Hayes and Coleman as true freshmen and then the 3 somewhat older RB's (Martin, Smith and Wallace), and then at least 1 RB coming in as a 2026 true freshmen (Mickens now committed) RB attrition after this coming season in inevitable. That's 6 or 7 RB's projected to be on scholarship for 2026.

So I expect at least 1 from among Martin, Smith and Wallace to be on another team before Spring practices begin in 2026. It's just the way college football works now.
I can see Ross being our kick and punt returner. He's experienced, successful and mature.
 
Definitely PR. Not sure if they want him on KR duty as well except possibly for key returns that we are looking for a spark like they did with Barkley. I can see them saving him from the hits that a regular KR takes.
I've never been a fan of using a start for KO returns. Nothing like making a guy run a 40 yard gasser to start a drive. But the staff, first and foremost, will make sure any returner is more about protecting the ball then advancing it.
 
I've never been a fan of using a start for KO returns. Nothing like making a guy run a 40 yard gasser to start a drive. But the staff, first and foremost, will make sure any returner is more about protecting the ball then advancing it.
Yeah, I think it is perfect for our RB depth to stay engaged and utilize their talent while protecting the starters.
 
I don't understand why Beau and Warren being gone affects RB3. I don't think RB3 will be on the field much. I see the departures of Beau and Warren as an opportuinty for Dinkins, RBs 1/2, and WRs. I suspect we'll see two back sets, Singleton in motion, and becoming a slot reciver as he has good hands and is a great open field runner. We also didn't run a lot of bubble screens last year.

My only real question is who is our changeup QB if any? I don't think our backups are any better runners than Allar. Do we have someone in the wildcat for short-yardage situations like Warren did last year? If so, who, Dinkins, Ripp, Reynolds? I wouldn't be shocked to see Tony Rojas playing some offense as it has been reported that he's running 4.4 40s at 235 lbs.
Interesting about Rojas

Agree that we don’t have a changeup Qb or player like Pribula and Warren. But at some point the gimmicks need to stop. If our new WR corps is better let’s throw the ball downfield and play power football. PSU should have the personnel to do that and remember that the last 2 years UM and OSU ran it down our throats in the 4th q when they needed to win the game.
 

Good point here. No Warren, no Pribula, who gets the load? Martin and Smith would seem to be the front-runners for RB3, but Wallace previously held the role before injury. And who knows what we have in the 2 true freshman yet.

Do we start using Reynolds this way? He looked Warren-esqe on the fake punt run.

What about Grunk and or Smolik? I don't think either fit the ZRO mold, but Franklin has long deployed a mobile QB package dating back to the Tommy Stevens Lion position.
Grunk & Smolik would be better utilized in their skill sets (drop back QBs). Forget the designed running plays for them. They need meaningful experience running the offense and going through progressions.
Hoping Martin is RB3 with Wallace and Smith returning KOs. Ross should be the PR.
 
Last edited:
Interesting about Rojas

Agree that we don’t have a changeup Qb or player like Pribula and Warren. But at some point the gimmicks need to stop. If our new WR corps is better let’s throw the ball downfield and play power football. PSU should have the personnel to do that and remember that the last 2 years UM and OSU ran it down our throats in the 4th q when they needed to win the game.
I don't think we ran a lot of those plays against meaningful opponents. I think AK uses them to keep the defense off balance and use up preparation time dealing with these weird plays. That is withthe exception to Warren lining up in the wildcat, which was very successful. Do we have a "Warren" this year? IDK. I am also not talking about the key fake punt against Minny. I do think we are going to see the Vega in motion a lot this year.
 
I think the staff works to find an RB3. You don't want to risk all 3 of Smith, Martin, and Wallace leaving (unless you determine none are going to be good enough RB1s for '26 season). As many have said, kick/punt return could be an option, but if Ross can upgrade that spot I'd rather put the best player there than placate guys who probably can't leave until December anyhow.

Fun roster observation: first time since Franklin has been here we don't have a Zone Read / dual threat QB on the roster. Probably a good thing as Allar showed he can be an effective runner and unless you offer something different (Pribula did enough to make it worthwhile), too many substitutions can make the offense clunky.
 
I think the staff works to find an RB3. You don't want to risk all 3 of Smith, Martin, and Wallace leaving (unless you determine none are going to be good enough RB1s for '26 season). As many have said, kick/punt return could be an option, but if Ross can upgrade that spot I'd rather put the best player there than placate guys who probably can't leave until December anyhow.

Fun roster observation: first time since Franklin has been here we don't have a Zone Read / dual threat QB on the roster. Probably a good thing as Allar showed he can be an effective runner and unless you offer something different (Pribula did enough to make it worthwhile), too many substitutions can make the offense clunky.
Defenses are very savvy these days. Coordinators scout the personnel package and then call their defense accordingly. Anytime Beau came into the game, you can bet the D switched to a zone read defense pronto. I wasn't a huge fan of the Beau formation even if Allar was split wide because Beua never showed he could run a route (move allar back to QB and put Beau split). I think the Warren/Allar formation worked because they put Warren in a QB on short yardage. The D never knew if Allar was going play QB or if Warren was going to play QB until the ball was snapped.

Again, I see someone playing the wildcat but have no idea who.
 
Defenses are very savvy these days. Coordinators scout the personnel package and then call their defense accordingly. Anytime Beau came into the game, you can bet the D switched to a zone read defense pronto. I wasn't a huge fan of the Beau formation even if Allar was split wide because Beua never showed he could run a route (move allar back to QB and put Beau split). I think the Warren/Allar formation worked because they put Warren in a QB on short yardage. The D never knew if Allar was going play QB or if Warren was going to play QB until the ball was snapped.

Again, I see someone playing the wildcat but have no idea who.
Franklin says Allar lost ten pounds and will be more of a "dual threat" QB.

 
So I guess Franklin has to have his running QB. If Franklin runs zone read with Allar, his chance of injury increases. Maybe it's just CJF bluster about "dual threat" Allar.
I doubt he runs much more than last year, but that he is certainly more of a threat. Threat means not only that he is willing but when he does, he'll be more effective. Both of those would make the defenses pay more attention to the QB keeping the ball and opening up more room for the RBs.

I agree on the risk of injury. But that is just football.
 
Again, I see someone playing the wildcat but have no idea who

Singleton and Allen would probably be a fine combo. We saw it a few times, but Allen bobbles at least 2 snaps.


Maybe it's just CJF bluster about "dual threat" Allar.

I think it's just the current evolution of the sport. You have to be mobile. Statues don't work. Defenses are too fast to not have everything at your disposal.

Many said it before: if Allar keeps the ball on 3rd and goal vs OSU, he WALKS into the end zone and we're an XP from 20 all.
 
Back
Top