James Franklin Unveils Bold Draft Day Plan for Abdul Carter & Tyler Warren
A year ago, James Franklin went viral for dashing between two draft parties in one unforgettable night. After watching Olu Fashanu get selected 11th overall by the Jets in Waldorf, Maryland, the Penn State head coach raced 60 miles north to Gaithersburg in time to see Chop Robinson go 21st to the Dolphins. That rare back-to-back moment showcased Franklin’s dedication—and his speed.
Now, with the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, Franklin’s schedule looks even more intense. Once again, two Nittany Lions could hear their names in the first round. Linebacker Abdul Carter appears locked into a top-five slot, while tight end Tyler Warren continues climbing into late-first-round territory. This time, though, the logistics are trickier. Carter will walk the stage in Green Bay, while Warren celebrates at home in Virginia. Franklin can’t attend both in person—but he’s making it happen on his terms.
“I’m going to do both,” Franklin said during an interview with Blue White Illustrated. He detailed his plan: fly to Virginia for a family lunch with Warren and his relatives, then head straight to Green Bay. “Ty Howle’s wife, some of our media folks—we’re all going down. We’ll be with Tyler and his family during the day. Then Karen [Franklin’s wife] will stay behind with them while we fly out to be with Abdul.” After celebrating with Carter, Franklin plans to fly right back.
The entire schedule feels more like a campaign trail than a draft day. But for Franklin, it’s all part of leading a premier program. “Only six programs last year had two first-rounders. We were one of them,” he said. “We’re likely doing it again. That puts us in rare company.” That mix of pride and commitment defines Franklin’s philosophy—never miss a milestone, especially one this meaningful.
This isn’t just about appearances or social media buzz. Franklin shows up because he cares. He’s built deep bonds with these players. Under his leadership, Carter became a game-changing linebacker, and Warren developed into a reliable, tough, all-around tight end. Franklin constantly praises Warren’s red zone production and blocking, while Carter’s speed and instincts turned him into a defensive anchor.
Skipping either moment simply isn’t on Franklin’s radar—even if it means juggling flights and coordinating calls between celebrations. “I’ll be checking in with the rest of our guys, too,” he added, referencing draft hopefuls Kevin Winston Jr., Jaylen Reed, and Kobe King. “I’d love to be at all of their parties if I could.” With spring practice on hold for the day, Franklin and tight ends coach Ty Howle will prioritize lunch with Warren before Franklin jets off with D-line coach Deion Barnes to Green Bay.
“I’m kinda pissed,” Franklin joked on his radio show, “because I can’t be two places at once.” Still, he’s determined to make the most of it.
Franklin’s Green Bay trip carries a personal note, too. He last visited in 2005 as the Packers’ wide receivers coach—before the entire staff was let go. “It’s changed a lot,” he said, calling it “like a college town.” This time, though, he returns with pride and purpose, ready to see another one of his players fulfill a dream.
And as Carter and Warren prepare to become Franklin’s third set of first-rounders—following Parsons and Oweh in 2021, and Fashanu and Isaac in 2024—the head coach sees it all as part of a bigger mission. “It’s a blessing,” he said.
