From Underdog to Top Dog
James Franklin didn’t hesitate when asked about Drew Allar at Big Ten Media Days. He’s proud of him. Not just for what he does on the field, but for how far he’s come since high school.
Some recruiting services had Drew Allar as the top-rated quarterback in the nation. That alone shows the type of work Allar put in before even stepping on campus.
Franklin also pointed out how Allar had to sit and learn his freshman year as a backup behind an NFL quarterback. He didn’t complain. He got better. “He’s now 6’5″, 235 pounds, can make every throw on the field,” Franklin said. “He’s shown that he can hurt people with his feet and has really, really made tremendous strides as a leader.”
That leadership is a huge part of why Franklin is so high on him heading into the 2025 season. “He’s willing to have tough conversations with his teammates,” he said. “He’s holding himself to a high standard.”
Allar already had first-round NFL Draft buzz last season, but chose to return to Penn State for one more year. That decision says everything. “Unfinished business collectively as a team but also as an individual,” Franklin said.
For Franklin, Allar represents what Penn State is all about—doing things the right way and playing for the team, not just yourself. “He’s really what it’s all about,” Franklin said. “It’s team, team, team. It’s community. It’s Penn State.”
Now, heading into his third straight year as the starting quarterback, Allar is on track to graduate this fall. He already has more than 800 completions, 50-plus touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions—stats that put him in rare company since 1956.
The stage is set for Allar to not only lead but also to take the final leap. Franklin and the rest of Penn State believe he’s ready.
And honestly, after everything Allar’s shown on and off the field, it’s hard not to believe it too.
