Eric Boggs 
Analyzing Drew Allar's Future
By Eric Boggs from The OHIO Podcast
Drew Allar, Penn State’s quarterback, had a mixed season in 2023. While he showed promise, he struggled in some important games. What should fans expect from him in his upcoming season?
Before joining Penn State, Allar was highly regarded, earning a five-star rating from 247Sports while playing at Medina High School in Ohio. He’s a big guy, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 243 pounds, fitting the mold of a traditional quarterback. Allar has a strong arm, can run when needed, and generally throws accurately. In 2023, he threw for 2,631 yards, with 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions. While he demonstrated NFL potential, he also showed he could buckle under pressure in big games.
Penn State’s style focuses on tough defense and a strong running game. In 2023, their defense ranked second nationally, allowing only 4.1 yards per play. Their running game, led by Kaytron Allen, averaged 4.7 yards per carry.
Allar’s job was mainly to protect the ball, which he mostly did well. He had standout performances against teams like West Virginia, Michigan State, and Delaware. However, in crucial games against Ohio State and Michigan, he struggled, completing only 44% of his passes and posting a low Quarterback Rating (QBR).
The team’s struggles weren’t solely on Allar. The defense tired out in critical moments, and the offense struggled on third downs and in time of possession.
Penn State has been aiming to break through as a top-tier team in the Big Ten, but they’ve fallen short, particularly against Ohio State and Michigan. Allar’s arrival brought high hopes, but the team still hasn’t overcome the Ohio State/Michigan mountain. With the addition of Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA, that mountain has become even more difficult. But that hasn’t stopped Aller from working on his game.
Looking ahead to 2024, the team has bolstered its receiving corps, adding former Ohio State wideout Julian Fleming. With more weapons, Allar will face pressure to perform, as will head coach James Franklin. Penn State aims to make a splash in the College Football Playoff, especially now that it’s expanding to 12 teams.
Allar’s performance will be crucial to Penn State’s success, but ultimately, how he will be remembered in University Park will be determined on whether or not the Nittany Lions will be able to perform well enough to make the newly expanded College Football Playoff.
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