Few quarterbacks have embodied Penn State’s modern aspirations the way Drew Allar did. The former five-star from Medina, Ohio, arrived with a rocket arm and pro frame, became the face of the program by 2023, and exited the 2025 season with a heartbreaking ankle injury that reshaped the entire Big Ten race.
High-School Legend in Medina
Allar rewrote Medina High School’s record book, throwing for 9,103 yards, 98 touchdowns, and only 20 interceptions across four seasons. As a senior he completed 305-of-509 passes for 4,444 yards and 48 scores, added 406 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, and captured Ohio Mr. Football honors. He chose Penn State over Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan because Mike Yurcich promised a scheme that would showcase his arm talent.
Apprenticeship in 2022
Penn State fans caught glimpses of Allar’s potential while he backed up Sean Clifford in 2022. He appeared in 10 games, completing 35-of-60 passes for 344 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. More important: he learned how to set protections, operate Yurcich’s tempo package, and elevate the quarterback room with his study habits.
Taking Over in 2023
When Allar became the starter in 2023, he delivered exactly what the staff hoped for: ball security and explosive throws down the seams. He finished his first year at the controls with 2,631 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and just two interceptions while guiding Penn State to an 11-2 record. His command of the offense and willingness to check to run looks made him one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the conference.
2024: College Football Playoff Push
The Nittany Lions asked even more of Allar in 2024. He responded with 3,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 16 games, piloting Penn State to a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. Allar’s signature performance came against Michigan, where he threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a primetime win that solidified the Lions as top-three nationally.
2025 Injury and Aftermath
Penn State entered 2025 ranked second in the preseason, but the campaign unraveled when Allar suffered a broken left ankle in the closing minutes of a 22-21 loss to Northwestern on October 11. At the time he had completed 103-of-159 passes (64.8 percent) for 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while carrying a 3-3 record. The injury forced redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer into the lineup, sparked the firing of head coach James Franklin, and accelerated a top-to-bottom roster reset.
NFL Outlook
Allar closed his Penn State career fourth on the school’s all-time passing list with 7,402 yards, alongside 61 touchdown passes and only 13 interceptions. Scouts still love the traits: a 6-foot-5 frame, elite velocity, and pocket movement that kept the offense on schedule. Assuming his ankle heals as expected, Allar remains a legitimate Day 2 prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to three seasons of starting experience in a pro-style system.
Allar’s legacy in State College blends promise and poignancy. He shepherded the program back to national contention, absorbed the burden of massive expectations, and handled adversity with the same poise he showed in the pocket. Penn State’s next quarterback will still be chasing the standard he set.