Drew Allar's growth at the center of Penn State's 2025 hopes

USA Today

7 days ago

If Penn State's going to make a serious run in 2025, it starts with Drew Allar. And James Franklin made it clear at Big Ten Media Days—he's proud of the quarterback Allar has become.
'Drew has made tremendous growth every single year,' Franklin said. 'All the way back to recruiting.'
It's easy to forget now, but Allar wasn't always a blue-chip name. 'When we first started recruiting, he was a three-star recruit. Kind of a throwback recruit,' Franklin said. 'He kept getting better, kept moving up the charts.' Eventually, he was ranked as the top quarterback in the country.
Since stepping on campus, Allar's rise hasn't slowed. He sat behind an NFL-caliber QB as a freshman, learned the ropes, and then took control of the offense. And now, going into his third year as the starter, he's the face of a program with championship-level expectations.
'He's now 6'5', 235 pounds, can make every throw on the field, has shown that he can hurt people with his feet,' Franklin said. 'And he's made tremendous strides as a leader.'
That leadership piece is what separates Allar. Franklin praised the way he's raised the standard—not just for himself, but for the team. 'He's willing to have tough conversations with his teammates,' he said.
And Allar didn't just flirt with the idea of the NFL after last season. Most people had him pegged as a first-round draft pick. He came back anyway. 'Unfinished business,' Franklin called it. Both for Allar personally and for the team.
That choice speaks volumes. Not every player projected in the first round decides to return. But Allar is betting on himself, his teammates, and the bigger picture in Happy Valley.
'I'm a big Drew fan,' Franklin said. 'You guys get a chance to get around him, you'll feel the same way.'
Franklin emphasized that Allar represents everything Penn State football stands for. 'It's team, team, team. It's community. It's Penn State,' he said. 'He does things the right way.'
The numbers back it up. Allar is one of only two FBS quarterbacks since 1956 with over 800 completions, 50 touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions. That's elite efficiency—and it's why he's back to chase a title.
With Drew Allar at the helm, Penn State has a steady leader who's matured on and off the field. His poise, arm talent, and presence in the locker room make him one of the most valuable players in college football heading into the fall.
Franklin isn't just hoping for greatness—he's expecting it. And if Allar takes another leap in 2025, he just might carry the Nittany Lions all the way to the top.