UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State held its Peach Bowl Media Day on Friday, but the day was mostly filled with unanswered questions.

James Franklin has not yet hired a defensive coordinator to replace Manny Diaz, the team’s most decorated player has not decided whether he’ll play in the Peach Bowl, and most of the players with collegiate eligibility remaining did not commit to returning for the 2024 season.

Which means several might be going.

All-American offensive tackle Olu Fashanu said he’s only focusing on his next practice, adding he’s not ready to say whether he’ll enter the NFL Draft.

“I haven’t made any certain decisions on my future at all right now,” Fashanu said. “I’m just embracing every day, doing everything I can to help everyone get better. I haven’t made a decision yet on my future.”

Fashanu will at least travel with the Lions to Atlanta.

“It’s just another opportunity to be with my brothers,” he said. “Just make some new memories and have fun or whatever.”

Fashanu is projected to be a high first-round draft pick. He was rated as highly last year but returned for the 2023 season because he wanted to graduate, which he has.

“I do think there’s a ton of value in finishing what you started, and there’s a lot of ways to do that,” James Franklin said.

Like Fashanu, tight end Theo Johnson is a team captain, and he feels a responsibility to play in the Peach Bowl against Mississippi (noon, Dec. 30).

Johnson previously announced he will enter the NFL Draft but he has one game left.

“Before the season, I talked to Coach Franklin, and I want to finish what I started,” Johnson said. “I gave him my word.”

Johnson called his decision to play against the Rebels “a no-brainer for me.”

Defensive end Chop Robinson, who was not present Friday, is bypassing the Peach Bowl.

DE Adisa Isaac, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, tight end Tyler Warren and center Hunter Nourzad will suit up vs. the Rebels. So will defensive tackle Dvon Ellies and defensive back and punt returner Daequan Hardy. Jacobs revealed after the press conference that he’s headed to the NFL in the spring. The others didn’t specify their 2024 plans.

Others with decisions, either on the bowl game or returning, did not attend Friday’s media session. They are cornerbacks Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and wide receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Dante Cephas.

Johnson said one of the captains’ roles around this time of the year is “to not have surprises.”

Franklin said internal discussions have been held with players debating options.

“Sometimes I think there’s a feeling like what’s in their best interest and what’s in Penn State’s best interest don’t always align, and I think more times than not, it really does,” he said. “We’re very aware of what’s going on in college football. We’re very aware of some of the trends. We’re very aware of the advice that some of the players are getting. But it’s more challenging than it’s ever been.”

On the open DC job, Anthony Poindexter, currently the co-defensive coordinator, wants the job and has had “several conversations” with Franklin.

“We’ll see how things work out,” he said.

Franklin quipped that he wants to get the hiring done “yesterday,” and is looking for “someone who’s got extensive defensive coordinator experience, someone that runs a similar scheme and philosophy because our current players have had a lot of success in a similar system.”

Poindexter was UConn’s DC from 2014-16 and he called the defense for the Lions’ Outback Bowl in 2022 after Brent Pry left for Virginia Tech.

Franklin said Poindexter, a former Virginia standout safety, will share the duties with Robb Smith, a former PSU offensive analyst who is a past defensive coordinator at Duke, Rutgers, Arkansas and Minnesota.

Notes: Penn State introduced new offensive coordinator Andy Koltenicki, who will be an observer during bowl preparation while JaJuan Seider and Ty Howle share the playcalling duties for the third straight game … The Lions are 3.5-point favorites vs. Ole Miss … Early signing day is Wednesday … Franklin drew chuckles when asked about the demands of the December calendar. “Are you saying that because I look like (crap)?” … The Mirror will publish its Peach Bowl Gameday edition on Friday, Dec. 29.