College Football Analyst Heaps High Praise On Penn State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joe Rutland | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 6:08 PM ET

While Penn State Nittany Lions football fans eagerly await the start of this season, they're probably looking for all the news they can find. Those needy fans also go and check out the college preview magazines as much as possible.

If they managed to take a look at college football analyst Phil Steele's yearly college football preview magazine, then they learned some great news. Steele is already raving about the Nittany Lions even before the first snap.

Steele's College Football '25 Preview is now available at magazine stands and online. Contained his preview, Steele gives Penn State fans plenty to wrap their hopes around as June creeps toward the Nittany Lions' first game.

"Of [last season's] final four teams, Penn State returns the most so they are a legitimate national title contender," Steele wrote, SI.com reports. "They get both Oregon and Indiana at home and do not play Michigan but have to travel to Columbus. The last two national champions were veteran laden Big Ten teams and Penn State fits that mold this year."

Phil Steele is raving about Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, other teammates

Steele raves about Penn State starting quarterback Drew Allar and some of Allar's teammates.

Drew Allar 6-5 235 Penn State
-big frame/good size and bulk
-adequate athletic ability and is able to be effective on rollouts, boots, and scramble with eyes downfield
-good arms strength to make all the throws
-fits ball into tight windows
-able to put touch on ball to fit… pic.twitter.com/HK6CFRddhb
— Tony Trifaro (@Jetsdraftmaniac) June 16, 2025

He is calling Nicholas Singleton as the No. 1 draft-eligible running back in college football, with fellow back Kaytron Allen at No. 11. Steele projects Singleton and offensive guard Vega Ioane as first-team All-Americans.

Nine starters on offense, including Allar, return this season for Penn State. Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles runs the Nittany Lions' defense now, so look for them to have a few Buckeyes looks to them on the field.

Penn State opens its season on August 30 with a home game against Nevada at Beaver Stadium. Look for those Nittany Lions fans to be out in full force, too.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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