On October 18, 2025, Ethan Grunkemeyer never thought he’d be starting a college football game for Penn State against a Big Ten opponent. He was the third-string quarterback heading into the season, then moved to second string, and finally became the backup when Drew Allar suffered a season-ending leg injury against Northwestern a week earlier.
Now, less than a week after Allar’s devastating injury, Grunkemeyer found himself lined up for his first career start against Iowa—one of the Big Ten’s most formidable defenses—with the entire Penn State program in chaos around him.
The redshirt freshman completed 15 of 28 passes for 93 yards as Penn State fell 25-24 to the Hawkeyes, but the performance revealed something critical: Grunkemeyer has the tools to develop into Penn State’s quarterback of the future, even if the present is impossibly difficult.
The Sudden Transition
Ethan Grunkemeyer’s path to Penn State’s starting position defies conventional wisdom. Coming out of Olentangy High School in Ohio, he was a four-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings—elite pedigree but not the type of player who typically becomes a backup’s backup.
When James Franklin recruited Grunkemeyer, the expectation was clear: develop him, redshirt him if necessary, and eventually hand him the program once Drew Allar moved on to the NFL.
Nobody expected that timeline to accelerate with such violence.
Grunkemeyer’s Path to Starting Role:
- Fall Camp 2025: Named backup to Drew Allar, behind Jaxon Smolik on the depth chart
- Week 1-6: Limited playing time, mostly garbage time opportunities
- October 11: Drew Allar injured against Northwestern; Grunkemeyer becomes backup
- October 12: James Franklin fired after 0-3 Big Ten start
- October 13: Terry Smith named interim head coach
- October 18: Grunkemeyer makes his first career start against Iowa
The entire foundation of Penn State’s season collapsed in eight days, and Grunkemeyer was caught in the wreckage.
The Iowa Game: A Primer on Grunkemeyer’s Future
Grunkemeyer’s debut was simultaneously promising and humbling:
The Positives:
- Accuracy: When he had time, Grunkemeyer threw with touch and precision
- Arm Talent: NFL-level arm strength and the ability to throw into tight windows
- Mobility: Can get outside the pocket and extend plays with his legs
- Poise: For a redshirt freshman thrown into chaos, he didn’t panic
The Struggles:
- Completion Percentage: 15-28 (53.6%) is well below Big Ten standards
- Limited Yards: 93 yards on 28 attempts indicates short passing game emphasis
- Processing: Made some questionable decisions and took unnecessary sacks
- Consistency: One series looked competent; the next looked inexperienced
What the Numbers Tell Us
Grunkemeyer’s 93 passing yards and 15 completions paint a picture of a young quarterback being protected by his coaching staff rather than being asked to carry the offense.
This is smart coaching under the circumstances. Terry Smith recognized that Grunkemeyer:
- Needed confidence-building
- Didn’t need the pressure of a full offense immediately
- Benefited from a run-first game plan
Against a veteran Iowa team, Penn State’s strategy was containment, not innovation. The goal was to keep the game close and hope the defense could generate a stop.
For most of the game, it worked. Penn State trailed 24-21 but couldn’t execute on their final drives to seal a win. Iowa scored on an 8-yard run with 3:54 remaining, and Penn State couldn’t mount a final drive.
It was a winnable game for a program playing considerably better, a loss that should have been a win for a program trying to salvage its season.
Grunkemeyer’s Background
Understanding Grunkemeyer requires context about who he is as a player and person:
High School Career: Elite four-star prospect from suburban Columbus, Ohio Recruiting: Ranked among the best quarterback prospects in his class Physical Tools: 6’3” frame, strong arm, good athleticism Personality: Reports suggest he’s a hard worker, coachable, and mentally tough
These attributes will be critical in his development. Grunkemeyer won’t be successful if he doubts himself or becomes mentally fragile. Early indications suggest he has the psychological toughness to handle adversity.
The Rest of the Season: A Crash Course
After the Iowa game, Grunkemeyer faces four more Big Ten opponents:
- vs. No. 1 Ohio State (Nov 1)
- vs. No. 2 Indiana (Nov 8)
- @ Michigan State (Nov 15)
- @ Nebraska (Nov 22)
- @ Rutgers (Nov 29)
The first two are essentially forfeit games—Ohio State and Indiana are both undefeated and elite. Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers represent potential wins.
If Grunkemeyer can improve his decision-making and accuracy in games against these three opponents, Penn State might actually make a bowl game at 6-6.
Comparing Grunkemeyer to Drew Allar
The contrast between Grunkemeyer and the quarterback he replaced is stark:
| Factor | Drew Allar | Ethan Grunkemeyer |
|---|---|---|
| Age/Year | Senior (21) | Redshirt Freshman (19) |
| Experience | 3 years starting | First career start |
| Composure | Veteran poise | Learning curve |
| Arm Strength | Proven NFL talent | Comparable capability |
| Decision-Making | Refined | Developing |
| Game Management | Expert | Novice |
Allar was a finished product. Grunkemeyer is raw talent being forced to grow up instantly.
The 2026 Outlook: Can Grunkemeyer Develop?
If Penn State can get through the 2025 season without completely losing Grunkemeyer’s confidence, the future quarterback landscape becomes interesting.
Entering 2026:
- Grunkemeyer will have experience against Big Ten competition
- He’ll have a full offseason to work with the permanent head coach
- He’ll benefit from better supporting cast if Penn State addresses depth chart needs
- He’ll be a year older and potentially more polished
The question is whether this catastrophic 2025 season traumatizes Grunkemeyer or toughens him up.
What Grunkemeyer Must Accomplish
For the remainder of 2025, Grunkemeyer’s goals should be:
- Protect the Football: Limit turnovers and bad decisions
- Demonstrate Growth: Show game-to-game improvement
- Build Confidence: Lead his team to wins whenever possible
- Develop Relationships: Get to know receivers and build chemistry
The statistics don’t matter this season. Development does.
The Redemption Narrative
There’s a redemption narrative here that could become powerful. If Grunkemeyer can:
- Survive the 2025 chaos
- Learn from the experience
- Return in 2026 as an improved starter
- Lead Penn State back to competitiveness
…then this season becomes a crucible that forged a champion, not a tragedy that broke one.
Many great quarterbacks have had baptismal seasons where they’re forced to start before they’re ready. Some crumble. Some rise to the challenge. Grunkemeyer’s response will define his Penn State career.
The Larger Context
Grunkemeyer’s emergence also highlights Penn State’s quarterback development system. Despite the 2025 chaos:
- The program produced Drew Allar, a three-year starter from a similar background
- Grunkemeyer was recruited as elite talent
- The infrastructure for quarterback development remains in place
Under a permanent head coach with stability, Penn State’s quarterback position could return to strength quickly.
Conclusion: A Season of Learning
Ethan Grunkemeyer’s 2025 season is fundamentally a learning experience. The statistics, the wins and losses, the immediate results—they’re secondary to his development as a quarterback and as a person.
Can a redshirt freshman thrown into chaos handle the pressure? Can he learn from elite Big Ten defenses while improving his craft?
The early returns suggest he has the tools. The rest of the season will determine whether he has the mental fortitude.
If he does, Penn State’s quarterback position has a bright future. If he doesn’t, this catastrophic season becomes the origin story of a quarterback who couldn’t handle adversity.
Right now, it’s too early to tell. But the potential is there.
Ethan Grunkemeyer will make his second career start against No. 1 Ohio State on November 1 at noon ET on FOX. The Buckeyes are 7-0 and one of the nation’s most dominant teams. For Grunkemeyer, it’s not about winning—it’s about survival and growth. Can a true redshirt freshman hold his own against the nation’s best? That’s the question that will define his Penn State career.