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Drew Allar is about to get his wish from the transfer portal after surprising Penn State by returning for 2025

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 7:51 PM ET

Drew Allar surprised the Penn State Nittany Lions and the NFL when he announced his return to school after the 2024-25 season. The strong-armed, 6-foot-5, 235-pounder didn't exactly light the world on fire to end the year, but he did what he needed for the Nittany Lions to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

There's no question that despite Allar posting three straight games with 13 or fewer completions and under 172 yards to end the season, he would've been a valued pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, he bet on himself and Franklin for the Nittany Lions to make a push to win a National Championship.

One key to that quest is to improve the talent at wide receiver. The receiving corps failed to even garner a single reception against Notre Dame. Sharper throws would've helped, especially in avoiding a game-ending interception with 33 seconds left. Allen's misguided throw led the receiver too far, but he was also under pressure and heaving it.

The Nittany Lions lost Tyler Warren to the draft, further intensifying their need for pass catchers. The winter transfer window failed to bring a star, but the Nittany Lions are trending toward landing the top spring entrant in the portal.

Per On3, Syracuse's Trebor Pena is favored to land with Penn State.

Transfer Portal Intel via @PeteNakos_ and @SWiltfong_

Syracuse hosting QB transfer
Frontrunner for Syracuse WR Trebor Pena
Tennessee set to host top target

View: https://t.co/gXMaii3lOm pic.twitter.com/7L1VV7UYwx
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) April 21, 2025

The 6-foot, 185-pounder from Syracuse will be in Year 6 of his collegiate career in 2025. He was reportedly looking for $2 million in the portal, which is what prompted Syracuse head coach Fran Brown to say he's "not giving no wide receiver $2 million."

“We paid him enough. He was going to get paid more. There were some numbers that were asked to me that I didn’t feel I would be able to do and move on,” Brown said last week with local radio station WTLA-AM. “I treated him right, did everything that was needed, and I just said, ‘Yo, you got to go.'”

Pena caught 84 passes for 941 yards and nine touchdowns in the Orange's pass-happy offense with Kyle McCord under center.

While the Nittany Lions can't easily replace Warren's 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight scores, Pena will spark a receiving corps with only one player with more than 21 catches and 415 yards. That player, Harrison Wallace III, is gone, though.

Pena would likely start alongside incoming senior transfer additions Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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