The preseason hype train behind Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has already hit some nauseating levels. A two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, the Ohio native has continued to garner recognition for the potential he showed as a former-five star recruit coming out of high school. In terms of on field success, it is largely still built off of that word once again, potential.
CBS Sports college football analyst Josh Pate recently released his Big Ten quarterback rankings heading into the 2025 season, and Allar stood at the top. While there is certainly an argument to be had to have him further down the list, especially with projection in mind, arguing about preseason rankings doesn’t actually matter. Plus, it’s a conference without a ton of returning starters, so if you’re deferring to resume, he is going to have the advantage based on experience.
REPORT: I am socializing my Big Ten QB rankings with select people today. Will report feedback. pic.twitter.com/2nmdMIId5T
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) June 13, 2025
If that is your viewpoint, just make sure you clearly state it. Allar is up top because he has done some good things, and is the most experienced of the returners. Don’t, however, try to make him something that he is not.
For a player as physically gifted as Allar, at least from an arm strength perspective, his film has been a rollercoaster over his two years. In nine games against ranked opponents that he’s played, his numbers have been at an almost embarrassing level.
In those nine contests, Allar has thrown for 1,496 yards (166 yards per game on average) with 10 touchdowns, along with a mere 54 percent completion rate and five interceptions. He has only managed to eclipse 200 yards passing twice in those games as well.
The 6-5, 240-pound passer has also rushed for just 185 yards in those nine game, an average of less than 21 yards per content. Allar has reached the end zone twice, while averaging 2.84 yards per carry. That means he is averaging less than 190 yards of total offense against the best teams on his schedule.
The typical argument defenders defer to is the lack of quality wide receivers Allar has played with, which is certainly fair. It also isn’t fair, however, to talk about everything he doesn’t have and ignore what he does. Penn State has arguably the best running back duo in all of college football last season, and also had the best tight end in the country.
Allar has also been behind two very good offensive lines in his career so far, including top ten NFL draft pick Olu Fashanu. He will once again be behind another stellar group in 2025, led by left tackle Drew Shelton. Throw in the fact that he has a strong defense behind him also, and the notion that there has been a lack of talent around Allar is ludicrous.
Quite simply, Allar has been his worst at the times the team has needed him most. With 2025 being his final season of eligibility, the excuses for Allar are quickly running out. Either he puts it together now, or we are going to keep having the same conversation about untapped potential for a seasoned veteran who keeps getting a pass for whatever reason.
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