Drew Allar shocked both the PSU and the NFL when he decided to return for another season after the 2024-25 campaign. Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, the strong-armed QB didn’t exactly end the year on fire, but he did enough to guide the Nittany Lions into the CFP semifinals. Despite a few lackluster performances with 3 straight games under 172 yards and just 13 completions, Allar would’ve still been a solid pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But instead of entering the draft, he took a leap of faith, betting on himself and HC James Franklin, determined to help PSU chase a National Title.
We all know Drew Allar spent a “long week” battling with the sting of his final pass from his junior season at PSU. His throw to Omari Evans was intercepted by Christian Gray, setting up Notre Dame’s game-winning field goal in the closing seconds of the Orange Bowl. “I was just not in a good state that week after,” admitted Allar, since the 27-24 loss to the Irish. “But once I stepped back into the weight room for this season, everything clicked. I was able to flush it and focus on what’s ahead—learning from it and moving forward,” stated the standout QB.
While Drew Allar looks forward, not back, James Franklin shared a major admission about his development. On the April 25 episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, Franklin was asked about Allar’s growth and whether there’s still room for improvement. Franklin responded:
“Yeah, just again very similar to what we talked about the program. You know, his freshman year, really starting all the way back to as a recruit, right, when, you know, he’s kind of an old school throwback recruit where he just kind of kept moving up the rankings and getting better and better. Did the same thing his freshman year, took a significant step his sophomore year in terms of understanding the offense, knowing how to get the playmakers the ball, eliminating negative plays, and protecting the football. He’s done that as good as pretty much any quarterback in the country.”
So, Allar’s journey is clear: Steady growth with Franklin’s confidence in him unwavering. However, Franklin didn’t stop there; he praised Drew Allar’s leadership evolution, noting his growth from leading by example to becoming a vocal presence last year. But with growth comes criticism, especially after Allar’s performance in the CFP. Franklin addressed this head-on, saying, “Again, back to what we just talked about— the head coach and quarterback better have thick skin. There are loud voices, and the loud voices are usually – they’re usually the minority, but they’re real loud. And he’s [Drew Allar] grown in all those areas. I see him doing the same things right now, taking steps in all these areas for this year, for us to have the type of year he wants us to have and for him the type of year that he wants to have.”
So, Allar’s journey isn’t just about on-field success; it’s about handling the pressure and continuing to evolve. And even PSU QBs coach Danny O’Brien shared a glimpse into Drew Allar’s growth. A week after the Orange Bowl, the two watched the game together, once the sting had faded. “He consumed it very well,” said O’Brien. Adding, “He’s coachable. After the emotion died down, we could dive into the details: footwork, eyes, and keeping it simple within the play’s framework.”
Right now, Allar’s ability to learn from setbacks sets the stage for big things ahead. With Allar and his fellow seniors returning for 2025, PSU’s hopes are higher than ever. It’s all about one step at a time, but Allar’s maturity promises the journey will be worth it. With rising anticipation, James Franklin opens up about the $9 million gamble.
James Franklin on his DC Jim Knowles
James Franklin and PSU made a bold statement in CFB by snagging Jim Knowles from OSU. The move to hire the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator came with a hefty price tag, signaling Penn State’s commitment to upgrading their defense. However, this strategic play, filling the void left by Tom Allen’s move to Clemson, shows just how serious Franklin and the Nittany Lions are about competing at the highest level.
And when asked about landing Jim Knowles, James Franklin said, “First of all, I think we have arguably the best coaching staffs in college football, with arguably the three best coordinators in college football.” He added that when he claims so, people usually don’t believe him. Hence, he took some steps – “I’ve spoken to six to eight coordinators in both the NFL and in college, trying to find the right fit. Some of those [conversations] didn’t go very far, some of those went fairly far into the process.” Well, there’ll always be naysayers, but Franklin’s confidence in his staff speaks volumes about the caliber of talent he’s assembling.
However, under the old regime, this move would have been impossible. Franklin explained that not only was the top DC in CFB available, but Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma were also vying for his services. To be honest, with so much competition, locking down the deal wasn’t easy. However, the shift in leadership created an opening for this game-changing hire. Now, it’s a clear signal: Penn State is fully committed to competing at the highest level.
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