Last December, during the critical two-week period between the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, star quarterback Drew Allar faced a pivotal choice: to return for another college season or declare for the NFL Draft. Much of the insight guiding him came from Penn State coach James Franklin, who had been supporting Allar since he was a little-known three-star recruit from Ohio. Alongside advice from his agents, this helped Allar sift through rumors and facts regarding his draft prospects.
Allar appreciated receiving detailed feedback, stating he wanted to know exactly where he stood, both the positives and negatives, to make the best decision. Despite speculation fueled by social media and sports outlets, the reality of Allar’s draft status was far more nuanced. While some teams viewed him as a potential franchise quarterback worthy of a top pick, others saw him as a mid-round candidate due to inconsistencies. Ultimately, this wide range of opinions led Allar to decide on returning for another season, aiming to achieve more with Penn State before embarking on his NFL journey.
Returning as Penn State’s leading quarterback, Allar enters his third year as a starter, leading a talented team that many expect to win the Big Ten. His physical prowess—standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds—combined with his accuracy, have put him in conversations alongside other top quarterback prospects like Arch Manning from Texas and Spencer Rattler from South Carolina. NFL scouts see him as a gifted passer with room to grow, particularly in downfield throws where his completion rate on longer passes needs improvement.
Despite his talent, Allar has struggled in high-pressure games against top-ranked opponents, posting a lower completion rate and a nearly equal number of interceptions to touchdowns in those matchups. He acknowledges these challenges and spends time reflecting on his performances to improve. This offseason, he’s excited to work again with offensive coordinator Andy Koternicki, known for his innovative approach, and has already gained valuable scouting insight from new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Allar emphasizes that his main goal is more playing time to develop and chase team and individual accolades, knowing the NFL opportunity will come when the time is right. Coach Franklin confirmed that Allar was considered a first-round draft prospect last year, highlighting the quarterback’s high ceiling.
Michael Cohen covers college football and basketball for Fox Sports and provides ongoing updates on Allar’s journey and potential.
Fan Take: For NFL fans, Drew Allar’s decision to return to college is significant because it reflects a strategic choice to refine skills and prove his value before joining the professional ranks. This careful development could mean the NFL gets a more polished and ready quarterback, potentially influencing the quality and depth of rookie quarterback talent entering the league in future drafts.
