“Culture Over Cash”: How James Franklin’s Penn State Stars Ignited a Silent Rebellion Against NIL Temptations—and Why 2025 Could Be Their Year
In a sport increasingly driven by dollar signs, endorsements, and ego, Penn State football is quietly waging a revolution—a movement where team culture, loyalty, and something dangerously close to heart might just upend the status quo.
James Franklin, now entering his 12th season at the helm in Happy Valley, has long been criticized for his lackluster record in big games—just one Big Ten title (way back in 2016) and a brutal 1-10 record against Ohio State. But as the 2025 season approaches, the winds feel different. And for once, they’re not blowing toward Columbus or Ann Arbor.
What’s the difference?
According to national analyst Adam Breneman, it’s not a quarterback switch or a flashy new coordinator—it’s the culture. Yes, you read that right. In an era where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has turned college football into a money-driven free-for-all, Penn State’s players are choosing something else. Something bigger.
Stars Are Staying Put—for Penn State, Not the Paycheck
Franklin’s returning core could’ve taken the money and run. Quarterback Drew Allar, electrifying running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and several key defenders—all stayed, even while NIL opportunities loomed. Why? Franklin told Breneman in a revealing interview: “Every single player on our roster is walking away from a little bit of money… because they genuinely love the experience here.”
And that’s not just a coach spinning fairy tales. It’s a tangible, controversial shift in college football’s priorities.
In the Breneman interview, Franklin doubled down on this “culture first” mindset. “There’s a transformational relationship here,” he explained. “A true connection. These guys know I care about them and their futures—not just what they can do for me on Saturdays.” That bond, he believes, is what’s keeping top-tier talent rooted in State College.
The Transfer Portal vs. the Trust Portal
Let’s be clear: Franklin isn’t just holding the line with familiar faces—he’s playing the portal smart, too. While Ohio State lost a record 14 players to the NFL and Oregon is retooling under a new quarterback, Penn State is adding strategic firepower.
Case in point: Trebor Pena, the ACC’s receptions leader last season, was plucked from Syracuse during the spring window to boost a wide receiver room that sorely needed star power. On defense, losing Abdul Carter hurts, but replacing Tom Allen with former Ohio State defensive genius Jim Knowles? That’s the kind of chess move that flips the board.
A Program That Defies the Current
While other programs are hemorrhaging players—some logging 40+ transfers a year—Penn State averages just 4 to 6. Franklin credits that to a long-game philosophy: “We’re not trying to rebuild through the portal. We’re building relationships, trust, and continuity.” He adds, “You don’t always know what you’re getting in a transfer. That’s a little scary. But the guys we develop? We know them.”
It’s a slow-burn strategy in a world obsessed with instant results. But perhaps that’s exactly what makes it so compelling—and so dangerous to the sport’s new royalty.
2025: The Year of the Lion?
With a veteran QB, a fortified roster, and a chip the size of the Bryce Jordan Center on their shoulder, the Nittany Lions are no longer just a threat—they’re a problem. And while Michigan and Ohio State scramble to rediscover their footing in a chaotic 18-team Big Ten, Penn State has something they don’t:
Stability. Loyalty. Fire.
Call it a culture war. Call it a revolution. Call it the season James Franklin silences the doubters once and for all. But one thing’s clear:
Penn State isn’t chasing the bag. They’re chasing greatness.
