Penn State Football, James Franklin James Franklin brings arguably the most talented roster of his Penn State Football tenure into the 2025 college football season. (Image Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun)

James Franklin Makes Surprising Announcement on Penn State Football’s Starting Safety Job

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Robert Shields | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 2:16 PM ET

Penn State Football head coach James Franklin met with the media for the first time during a game week for the 2025 season Monday, and revealed a shocking winner of one of the Nittany Lions‘ top position battles.

During his weekly press conference, Franklin made quite a few announcements about the 2025 Nittany Lions football team, including the expected personnel for the upcoming season.

One of the biggest announcements this week, however, was the surprise announcement of Penn State’s starting safety opposite returning senior Zakee Wheatley.

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Entering fall camp, the starting safety battle seemed to be between Dejuan Lane and returning transfer King Mack.

However, last week, Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles brought up Belgrave-Shorter on his own when answering a question about the starting safety spot on the defense.

Penn State Football Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter opens the season as a starting safety in coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports)

Monday, Franklin made it official that Belgrave-Shorter will start the season ahead of both Mack and Lane on the depth chart. The Florida native, Belgrave-Shorter, was a three-star cornerback prospect in the 2024 class before converting to safety on campus.

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In naming Belgrave-Shorter the second starting safety, James Franklin noted that Belgrave-Shorter led the team in turnovers in fall camp.

Franklin also noted that King Mack and Dejuan Lane will play a lot of football for the Nittany Lions this fall, despite losing the starting competition.

This article first appeared on Nittany Central and was syndicated with permission.

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