James Franklin Has Never Been Around Elite Quarterbacks

James Franklin has served as a coach at various levels, including as the head coach at Penn State (2014–present), Vanderbilt (2011–2013), and as an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Kansas State (2006–2007) and Maryland (2008–2010).

He also coached wide receivers for the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Below, we’ll evaluate whether he has produced an NFL quarterback based on his coaching tenures.

Kansas State (2006–2007)

As offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Kansas State, Franklin coached:

Josh Freeman (2006-2007)

• College Performance: Under Franklin’s guidance, Freeman threw for over 3,000 yards in 2007, helping Kansas State achieve a winning season and a Texas Bowl appearance. Franklin’s coaching was instrumental in developing Freeman into a pro prospect.

• NFL Career: Freeman was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He started 60 games in the NFL, primarily with the Buccaneers (2009–2013), throwing for 13,873 yards, 80 touchdowns, and 68 interceptions. He also played briefly for the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.

• Freeman is a clear success story, as he became a starting NFL quarterback, and Franklin’s role in his development is well-documented.

Maryland (2008–2010)

As offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Maryland, Franklin worked with quarterbacks like Chris Turner, but none from this period became notable NFL quarterbacks.

Turner had a brief stint with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010 but did not play in the NFL.

Vanderbilt (2011–2013)

At Vanderbilt, Franklin’s quarterbacks, such as Jordan Rodgers and Austyn Carta-Samuels, had success in college but did not reach the NFL as quarterbacks.

Rodgers, for example, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2013 but transitioned to a non-playing career.

Penn State (2014–Present)

At Penn State, Franklin has coached several quarterbacks, some of whom have reached the NFL. The most notable quarterbacks under his tenure include:

Trace McSorley (2015–2018):

• College Performance: McSorley was a standout at Penn State, setting program records for career passing yards (9,899), passing touchdowns (77), and total offense (11,596 yards). He led Penn State to a Big Ten Championship in 2016 and multiple New Year’s Six bowl appearances.

• NFL Career: McSorley was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has primarily served as a backup quarterback in the NFL, playing for teams like the Ravens (2019–2021), Arizona Cardinals (2021–2022), and Chicago Bears (2022–2023). He has appeared in 10 NFL games, completing 24 of 47 passes for 230 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, while also contributing as a runner (49 carries, 212 yards).

• McSorley is an NFL quarterback, though primarily a backup, so Franklin can be credited with producing an NFL quarterback here.

Christian Hackenberg (2014–2015):

• College Performance: Hackenberg showed promise as a freshman under coach Bill O’Brien but struggled under Franklin’s system, with declining production (28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions combined in his sophomore and junior years).

• NFL Career: Hackenberg was selected by the New York Jets in the second round (51st overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. However, he never played in a regular-season NFL game, spending time on the practice squads of the Jets, Oakland Raiders, and Philadelphia Eagles before transitioning to coaching.

• While Hackenberg was drafted, he did not play in an NFL game, so he doesn’t fully count as a “produced” NFL quarterback in terms of on-field impact.

Sean Clifford (2019–2022):

• College Performance: Clifford started for multiple seasons at Penn State, finishing with 7,839 passing yards, 61 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions. He helped Penn State to an 11–2 record in 2022, including a Rose Bowl win.

• NFL Career: Clifford was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has appeared in two NFL games as a backup, completing 1 of 1 pass for 37 yards, and is currently a backup for the Packers.

• Clifford is an NFL quarterback, though a backup, adding to Franklin’s record of producing NFL talent.

Drew Allar (2022–Present):

• College Performance: Allar started in 2023 and posted a 12.5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, one of the best in the nation. He was rated as the number one quarterback and number three overall recruit in the 2022 incoming class by 24/7 Sports. Given Franklin’s track record of not producing NFL quarterbacks this was a major recruiting win.

• NFL Career: Allar is still in college as of 2025 and has not yet entered the NFL. He is projected as a potential high draft pick in the future, but he doesn’t count toward NFL production yet. Considering the recent draft class, it is alarming that he didn’t come out already.

Summary of NFL Quarterbacks Produced

James Franklin has coached three quarterbacks who have played in the NFL:

1. Josh Freeman (Kansas State): A first-round pick and multi-year NFL starter.

2. Trace McSorley (Penn State): A sixth-round pick and career backup with limited game appearances.

3. Sean Clifford (Penn State): A fifth-round pick and current backup with minimal game experience.

While Freeman is the most successful, McSorley and Clifford also reached the NFL, though in backup roles.

In the long storied history of Penn State, Kerry Collins is the only noteworthy NFL quarterback. He played 17 seasons. Conversely, Franklin’s best quarterback export, Josh Freeman, only played seven years in the league.

Does James Franklin have a problem developing quarterbacks or recruiting quarterbacks?

Given the success of 2024 and the off season hype, Penn State people will have you believe Drew Allar can cure cancer while walking on water. His recruiting ranking will back them up.

However, this is the same guy who didn’t throw a touchdown in two of the team’s final three games of the season.

Franklin is nearing Kirby Smart vs. Alabama territory.

Just because he hasn’t done it yet (win a big game), doesn’t mean he won’t.

Don’t let Penn State people convince you the Boise State and Southern Methodist playoff games were meaningful wins.

Reaching the national title game is the floor for this year’s Penn State team based on the off season hype.

If Allar was as special as Happy Valleyians would have you believe, he would have entered the draft this spring.

Franklin likes to cover up sexual abuse at Vanderbilt, complain about airport runway length, indirectly shit talk Marcus Freeman, use his daughters as human shields, fight with fans, and never win big games.

Not sure who we trust least, Franklin or Allar.

Penn State people know Warren and Carter graduated, right?