James Franklin fails to leverage Drew Allar's development in winning pitch to elite four-star quarterback who opted for rival title contender
The Penn State Nittany Lions were hoping to add their next star quarterback for 2027 and beyond as they chased after five-star Teddy Jarrard. With Drew Allar hitting the NFL after this season and Beau Pribula bolting to Missouri as Allar leaned toward returning throughout the winter, Penn State's future will be uncertain soon. Penn […]
The Penn State Nittany Lions were hoping to add their next star quarterback for 2027 and beyond as they chased after five-star Teddy Jarrard. With Drew Allar hitting the NFL after this season and Beau Pribula bolting to Missouri as Allar leaned toward returning throughout the winter, Penn State's future will be uncertain soon.
Penn State lost out on Jarrard to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and head coach James Franklin might have to get into the transfer portal to fix his immediate depth chart after what will hopefully be a national championship run. Franklin laid the groundwork for Jarrard to see the developmental path, though, going deep into Allar's own journey this past week at Big Ten Media Days.
Alas, it doesn't matter in this race. The Georgia native reportedly had Michigan and Georgia over Penn State as well.
“I chose Notre Dame because of the culture there,” Jarrard told Rivals’ Chad Simmons ahead of his announcement. “Coach Freeman has built a great program there over the years, and it’s something special that I want to be a part of. Also, Coach Gino [Guidugli] has been great to me. He develops quarterbacks in a great way.”
Jarrard would've been a good answer to start as a freshman in 2027 if his hype is justified. Though he's the 12th-ranked quarterback and 171st overall player in the 2027 class, some boards have him as a fringe five-star. There's a wide net of opinions on the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder.
Here's Andrew Ivins' scouting report from 247Sports.
Tall pocket passer with already two years of varsity starting experience that has displayed the ability to get the ball out on time and keep an offense on schedule. Has a baseball background and some natural torque in the arm, which results in tight spirals to the middle third as he’s not afraid to challenge the teeth of a defense. Tends to frame up his targets on three-step and five-step drops, but has also proven to be an effective distributor on the move as he keeps his balance and leads pass catchers to green grass. More of a touch passer when looking to target vertically and could improve the down-field accuracy. Finds ways to evade sacks on Fridays, but likely won’t offer much value as a runner on Saturdays aside from the occasional scramble. Posted impressive numbers as an underclassmen in one of the Peach State’s lower classifications and will level up in competition for his junior and senior seasons after changing schools. On the older side for the grade, but projects at this stage as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level that can thrive in a structured environment with his accuracy and anticipation.
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