Drew Allar is one of those names buzzing around college football right now, especially as we gear up for the upcoming season. The senior quarterback at Penn State showed serious growth last season, leading the team to an impressive 13-2 record. From refining his running game to delivering robust performances in critical matches like those against USC and Minnesota, Allar has become a pivotal figure for the Nittany Lions. But, the big question remains: Can he ascend to an elite level in 2025?
This week marked the start of Penn State’s spring practice with 15 sessions set to wrap up on April 26, concluding with the traditional Blue-White Game at a Beaver Stadium in progress of renovations. Coach James Franklin has high hopes for Allar, emphasizing the need for comprehensive improvement as the games kick in come late August.
"Improvement isn’t just one thing," Franklin shared when asked about the focus for Allar this spring. "We’re looking for Drew to elevate across the board. From enhancing his mobility and leadership to boosting his completion rates and refining his touchdown-to-interception ratio – it’s a holistic growth journey."
With spring practice underway, here are three key areas where Penn State needs to focus if they want to justify the hype around their team.
Drew Allar: Rising to the Occasion
Allar’s biggest challenge? Becoming that clutch player when the stakes are high. As Penn State prepares for the likes of Oregon coming to Beaver Stadium by late September, Allar needs to sharpen his decision-making and gel with yet another set of new receivers. Although his stats last year—3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns against eight interceptions—were solid, the offense floundered during high-pressure moments. Notably, Allar didn’t notch any touchdown passes in defeats against Ohio State and Notre Dame, and his completion percentage dipped during crucial playoff games.
Franklin remains optimistic, noting, “What’s exciting is that despite standing at 6-5 and weighing 235 pounds, Drew still has a lot of room to grow and develop. After all, he’s still a young kid.”
Sorting Out the Linebacker Position
With the departure of standout linebacker Kobe King, Penn State’s defense faces a bit of reshuffling. Tony Rojas returns looking like a promising star, and there’s backup Dom DeLuca known for his big plays, but Penn State needs a reliable replacement for King in the heart of their defense. The new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, might favor two-linebacker sets, but the line needs more contributors. This transition might take some time as Rojas recovers from a shoulder injury and DeLuca has mostly thrived outside, not in every down play.
There is talent waiting in the wings, possibly coming from juniors like Keon Wylie or sophomores such as Dakaari Nelson and Ta’Mere Robinson, alongside newcomers like LaVar Arrington, Jr., Alex Tatsch, Kari Jackson, and Anthony Speca. However, no one in this group recorded more than 11 tackles last season.
Revitalizing the Receiver Corps
Penn State nearly pulled off a playoff semifinal without a wide receiver catching a pass. It’s been a rocky road for the Nittany Lions’ receiving squad for the past three years, and it appears they’re in restart mode again. This spring is crucial for finding solid, dependable leaders among the receivers. The addition of transfers Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross could potentially resolve some issues, but more help is needed from returning players like Liam Clifford, Kaden Saunders, and Tyseer Denmark, as well as the fresh faces like Matthew Outen, Koby Howard, and Lyrick Samuel.
Saunders and Denmark have a lot at stake. Both are dynamic, versatile athletes who weren’t able to perform much last year due to injuries and lack of experience.
As Drew Allar continues to grow and adapt, and with strategic improvements in critical areas on the field, the Nittany Lions are setting the stage for what could be an electrifying college football season.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @YDRPennState.
