What is James Franklin’s checklist for his veteran quarterback this spring?
Drew Allar, entering his fourth season at Penn State and his third as the starter, is coming off a season in which he threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns against only eight interceptions.
Allar threw for 391 yards in the Nittany Lions’ overtime win at USC last October and displayed improved mobility, running for 302 yards and six touchdowns. Allar was also better at avoiding the rush on passing plays.
Those numbers look great on a resume.
But Penn State’s offense struggled in last season’s losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame, and that means Allar struggled.
The QB’s combined numbers in the two losses: 24 of 43, 281 yards, zero touchdown passes, two interceptions.
Penn State’s issues at wideout last season impacted Allar’s stats, but now Allar must make a go of it without All-American tight end Tyler Warren.
The real intrigue this spring, and later in August, surrounds Allar’s connection with Penn State’s two new wideouts from the transfer portal: speedy Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC).
Franklin wants to see improvement from Allar on many levels.
“I get this (improvement) question a lot about a lot of players on our offense and defense,” Franklin said. “A lot of times it’s not like one thing. I would say that’s the case with Drew. He needs to take another step this year, which we think he’s done every year he’s been here.
“He needs to take another step when it comes to his mobility. He needs to take another step when it comes to his leadership. He needs to take another step in it terms of his completion percentage. Needs to take another step in terms of his touchdown-interception ratio.”
During Allar’s time as Penn State’s starter, he has thrown 49 touchdowns and been intercepted only 10 times. Allar completed 66.5% of his passes in 2024, but his completion rate in PSU’s losses to Ohio State, Oregon and Notre Dame was just 53.7% (44 for 82).
“It’s really all of it,” Franklin said. “There are some things we’ve had some conversations with (quarterbacks coach) Danny O’Brien that those conversations will stay between us, but I would say just being transparent, I will say I don’t think it’s one necessarily specific thing. It’s all of it.
“The thing that’s exciting about Drew — and you guys see him — he may be 6-5, 235 pounds but he has a lot of growth and development. He’s a young kid. He has taken significant steps every single year as you guys, I think, are aware.
“He puts in a ton of time and knows how to prepare the right way both mentally and physically. I think Danny does a really good job with him, as well.
“When you bring in two new pieces, the two new wideouts, that puts him in a position to coach and get those guys ready. So all those things.”
