James Franklin provides injury recovery timeline for rising Penn State defender

The road to recovery from any injury is long and grueling. It’s especially difficult when life goes on without you on the field. For the past several months that’s where Penn State football defensive tackle Alonzo Ford has found himself. The former Old Dominion star joined the Nittany Lions as a big addition from the transfer portal last season. But he suffered a season-ending injury last summer, so Penn State fans have not seen Ford on the field. On Tuesday after practice, James Franklin provided an update on Ford’s recovery.

James Franklin provides recovery timeline for Penn State defender

Alonzo Ford announced his commitment to the Penn State football team on May 3rd, 2023 on social media. He joined the Nittany Lions following the 2023 Blue-White game. Fall camp started and Ford was doing well until August 10th when the news broke that Ford had suffered a season-ending injury. Since then, he has been on the road to recovery. On Tuesday night after practice, James Franklin provided an update on Ford’s status.

“He’s not back” Franklin said. “He’s close to being back. I think this summer, he will be a full go. I’m not talking about summer camp. I’m talking about the whole summer training. Besides that, he’s been great. We just haven’t seen a whole lot. His attitude has been great. He’s done really well in the classroom. He’s obviously lived in the treatment room.

“The strength staff has been able to work with him, the trainers have been able to work with him, everybody loves him. There’s just not a whole lot we’ve been able to see up to this point other than the stuff we saw when we recruited him.”

Reviewing the defensive tackle position

While it sounds like Ford will return to the team this summer what competition is waiting for him? The Penn State community received exciting news when Dvon Ellies announced that he would return for the 2024 season. Between Ellies, Zane Durant, and Coziah Izzard, Alonzo Ford should be in the rotation this fall with those proven veterans.

Additionally, a name to be on the lookout for this fall is Liam Andrews. A four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, Andrews could be an instant impact player if he proves himself this summer and fall.