Penn State running back Journey Brown is one of two players on the team who is suspended until Aug. 1

Penn State head football coach James Franklin confirmed during Big Ten Media Days on Friday that former Meadville star Journey Brown is one of two players that are suspended from the team until Aug. 1.

He joins defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, an all-conference returner, in being away from the program. The decision dates back to ‘the end of spring,’ which explains their absence at the team’s ‘Lift for Life’ charity event last week.

Franklin declined to give specifics on the suspensions other than ‘ a violation of team rules.’

Brown, a redshirt sophomore who led the state in touchdowns as a high school senior, averaged 5.5 yards per carry in limited action last season. He is expected to see an increased role in 2019 in a talented backfield that also includes sophomore Ricky Slade and true freshmen Noah Cain and Devyn Ford.

“He’s prepared different,” running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said this spring. “He’s been more focused. He’s been understanding his assignments, which has allowed him to get on the field because the kid’s got talent. It was just a matter of when that’s gonna happen.”

Gross-Matos is expected to lead a talented defense for the Nittany Lions, and multiple national outlets have him projected as a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Penn State opens its season on Aug. 31, hosting Idaho.