Blue White Illustrated

Coach Limegrover while Coach Rahne is going around trying to 0nd [Franklin]. So they track him down and he's bowling with his daughters. Then I called Coach Franklin and I give him the good news. Before he says congratulations he gives me the spiel: no talking to other re- cruiters, keep good grades, don't get in trouble. I'm not that kind of kid, so I did- n't worry about any of that stu1. So a2er that he was like, "Welcome to the fam- ily." I was super happy. BWI Now that you've got the commit- ment out of the way, what's next for you? EFFNER Training, training, training. That's my No. 1 focus right now, because the one thing that I always hated about recruiting was that it took me away from school. It took me away from training. I couldn't get into a rhythm and it always bugged me, because my gains would be so o1 and it would make me so mad. Now any college that comes to the school, I'm like, don't talk to me. It's kind of mean, but it's like, don't talk to me, don't bug me. I'm doing my own thing and I can just be at peace knowing that I have a good decision ahead of me and I have a year and a half to just focus on school, training and then whatever else I want to do. BWI What do you weigh and measure in at right now? EFFNER I always laugh because all the websites are di1erent. The last time I was measured at The Opening, I was kind of light on weight. I [wasn't feeling well before it] so I lost like 10 pounds before I went to The Opening and I was like, oh jeez. So at the opening I was like 6-5 1 ⁄2 and 274. Right now I'm 6-5 1 ⁄2, 6-6 – whatever you want to call it – and be- tween 282 and 285. BWI If you were to describe yourself as an o1ensive lineman, what do you pride yourself on? In that same vein, are there any improvements you're trying to make to your game this o1-season? EFFNER I've got a good base and foot- work. I'm very blessed with quick feet. If I had the opportunity, I could be a tight end, but we don't need to talk about that (laughs). I think my run game is proba- bly the strongest. I can really move my feet quickly, I can get under and I'm a good bender. I don't have issues with that. I think the things I should work on would maybe be better hand speed. That's what I'm working on right now. I do a lot of boxing and stu1. ... Also just overall speed, and I think I can get more in the upper- body strength and lower-body strength. A lot of coaches say you should be able to bench 400 before you step onto a college football 0eld. I've got some work to do. BWI Last question: If you could say one thing about yourself to Penn State fans, even future teammates and coaches, what would it be? EFFNER This is going to be good. I think they're going to love me. I think I'm a funny dude. I think I'm aggressive on the 0eld. I give the fans something to love. I mean, I'm outgoing, I'm very charismatic, and they're going to love the way I play. ■ 2018 RECRUIT Effner poses with James Franklin during his visit to cam- pus in March. Photo courtesy of the Effner family

• Cover