As Franklin said before hiring Allen last year, Penn State's defense is not in rebuild mode. The program is about winning now, which the returns of Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki have foreshadowed. Franklin is chasing hardware next season, and the defensive coordinator hire will reflect that.

With last year’s hire, Tom Allen, likely off to lead the Clemson defense, let’s take a look at some of the candidates who could join Penn State for the 2025 season — with all five currently at Power-4 programs in college football.