Penn State QB Preview 2025: Allar’s Rise and the Race for QB2

Penn State enters the 2025 season with championship aspirations, and everything starts with quarterback Drew Allar. The senior signal-caller has the size, arm talent, and experience to lead one of the most balanced offenses in the Big Ten. With a deeper wide receiver group, a veteran offensive line, and a second year under coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Allar is positioned to take the next step toward becoming one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks. This preview breaks down his outlook for 2025, the new offensive pieces around him, and the competition shaping the depth chart behind him.

Allar Returns as Offensive Catalyst

Allar steps into 2025 as the clear QB1 with sky-high expectations. Last season, he showed flashes of why he was a top recruit.  Allar threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 66.5% of his passes. Perhaps most impressively, he protected the football with only 8 interceptions, displaying remarkable poise for a young quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus, Allar earned an 82.2 grade in 2024, a top-20 mark among FBS quarterbacks. He made good decisions and rarely put the ball in harm’s way. Head coach James Franklin lauded Allar’s efficiency, noting at Big Ten Media Days that “since 1956 he’s one of two FBS quarterbacks with 800 plus completions, 50 plus touchdowns and 10 or less interceptions” in a career. Allar’s combination of size, arm talent, and intelligence has him on the radar as one of college football’s top quarterbacks.

Allar’s Growth into a Complete Quarterback

Equally as important to Allar’s on-field production has been his steady evolution into a team leader. Last Word on College Football was on-site in Las Vegas for Big Ten Media Days, where both Allar and Franklin addressed the quarterback room’s development. Both Allar and head coach Franklin emphasized that growth at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas. “I’m more vocal now than I was before,” Allar said. “But there’s not anything that I’m preaching about that I’m not doing myself.” Allar also acknowledged how far he’s come since arriving in State College. “That’s something that I didn’t really do a whole lot when I first got here. I’m trying to show the guys that I can lead by example and vocally when needed.”

Franklin echoed that assessment, calling Allar a “throwback” recruit who has improved in “every single area” each year. “He can make every throw on the field, has shown he can hurt people with his feet, and has really made tremendous strides as a leader,” Franklin said. “He’s made significant leaps every year. We expect him to make another significant leap this year. I’m a big Drew fan.”

Allar himself made it clear that his decision to return for his senior season was rooted in a sense of unfinished business. “For us, the goal is to be in the Big Ten title game and obviously win it,” he said. “Obviously, we came close to it last year and didn’t accomplish it.” “There were a lot of things I wanted to accomplish individually and then also, more importantly, the team stuff,” Allar added. “There’s a lot of things that we came close to last year but didn’t get the job done. So having one more go like that and just doing everything that I can to prepare myself for those moments.”

The Nittany Lions came up short of a Big Ten title or College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, but Allar appears more confident, composed, and ready to lead than ever. During the Media Days in Las Vegas, Allar carried himself with calm, veteran poise, as composed as any player in attendance. That maturity should translate to greater consistency on the field.

New Weapons and Veteran Line Could Unlock Allar’s Ceiling

One major reason for optimism around Allar’s 2025 outlook is the significantly upgraded supporting cast around him. After a 2024 season that featured inconsistent receiver play, Penn State moved decisively in the transfer portal. The staff added three experienced wideouts — Kyron Hudson (USC), Devonte Ross (Troy), and Trebor Peña (Syracuse) — each with a complementary skill set. Hudson is a physical target who is expected to line up at the “X” boundary spot. Ross brings vertical speed to the “Z” role, while Peña, a shifty route-runner, adds quickness and experience in the slot. That diversity gives Allar more tools to stress defenses at every level.

Just as important, though, is the strength of the offensive line in front of him. Penn State returns five linemen with starting experience, including sixth-year center and team captain Nick Dawkins, who anchors the unit. Drew Shelton, the veteran left tackle, earned All-Big Ten honorable mention last year. At left guard, 335-pound junior Vega Ioane combines mass with surprising mobility and enters 2025 with preseason All-America hype. On the right side, former five-star Nolan Rucci is stepping into a larger role, and true sophomore Cooper Cousins has already earned praise for his physical maturity and football IQ. Anthony Donkoh started at right tackle before an injury sidelined him in 2024, and he could battle Rucci for the starting role during camp.  Donkoh also has some flexibility to provide depth at both tackle spots and within the interior.

With a reloaded receiving corps and one of the most experienced offensive lines in the Big Ten, Allar is positioned for a breakout season. The Nittany Lions now have the firepower, protection, and schematic flexibility to push the offense to another level. If Allar takes the leap many expect, Penn State’s offense could become one of the most dangerous in the nation.

Battle for QB2: Grunkemeyer vs. Smolik

While Allar justifiably grabs the headlines, one of Penn State’s most important preseason storylines is the battle for the backup quarterback job. Redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer and redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik have been competing since winter to claim the No. 2 spot. The outcome of that competition could determine who succeeds Allar as the starter in 2026.

Coach Franklin has made it clear that the race is extremely close. “That’ll be a true battle, I think right up to the wire,” Franklin said after the spring game about the Grunkemeyer–Smolik competition, according to Onward State. Neither quarterback has taken a collegiate snap in a meaningful game, but both impressed with their development and performance in the April 26 Blue-White Game. Franklin has continued to praise both and has avoided naming a backup prematurely. “Both of them are playing really well, so we’ve got to continue to build on that,” Franklin told SI.com during spring drills. All indications point to the competition staying tight through the summer and deep into fall camp, with neither player yet separating.

The battle is also pushing the entire quarterback room forward. “They’re not only pushing each other, but pushing me as well,” Allar said of his understudies’ competitive drive. The veteran starter has taken pride in mentoring the younger passers and sees their daily growth. “It’s been really fun to see everybody’s growth in that room,” Allar added, according to Onward State.

The first three weeks of the 2025 season could prove pivotal in determining who ultimately wins the job. With a deep and talented quarterback room, Penn State is preparing for the future while ensuring the present remains secure.

Kritza, Lambert Provide Developmental Depth

Behind those top three, Penn State has a pair of young quarterbacks developing in the pipeline. True freshman Bekkem Kritza is an intriguing 6-foot-5 prospect beginning his college journey. Jack Lambert is a walk-on redshirt sophomore who adds depth.

The Nittany Lions Lean on Allar to Set the Tone

The 2025 outlook for Penn State’s quarterbacks is as promising as it has been in years. Allar is the face of the offense and a potential All-Big Ten performer. He could vault himself into the national spotlight with a big season. He has the experience, talent, and team around him to truly shine. An experienced offensive line, new playmakers at receiver, and a second year in a more creative scheme all set the stage for Allar to thrive. If Allar meets those expectations, the Nittany Lions’ offense could transform from good to outright explosive in 2025.