Penn State QB Drew Allar starts in a puzzling spot when compared to the best quarterbacks returning to CFB in 2025
Earlier this week, On3 College Football host Andy Staples released his top ten quarterbacks ranking heading toward the 2025 College Football season. It was no surprise that Penn State signal caller Drew Allar was included in that group. He is coming off of a 2024 campaign where he threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns, […]
Earlier this week, On3 College Football host Andy Staples released his top ten quarterbacks ranking heading toward the 2025 College Football season. It was no surprise that Penn State signal caller Drew Allar was included in that group. He is coming off of a 2024 campaign where he threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also completing over 66 percent of his passes and leading the Nittany Lions to 13 victories.
Allar's inclusion in the list wasn't the interesting part of the list. It was his placement amongst the top ten quarterbacks. The Penn State star came in at No. 7 on the list, behind DJ Lagway (Florida), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Arch Manning (Texas), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), and John Mateer (Oklahoma). Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Darian Mensah (Duke), and Carson Beck (Miami) rounded out the list.
Here is what Staples had to say about Allar, and his placement on the list.
7. Drew Allar, Penn State
If an NFL GM were making this list, he’d probably rank Allar in the top two. He has all the tools to be the best quarterback in the country. He has an ideal blend of size, arm strength and athleticism. But for whatever reason he hasn’t come close to his potential. Perhaps that’s because Penn State’s receivers have been subpar in his time there. Or perhaps Allar lacks the type of instincts that elevate QBs from good to spectacular.
Make no mistake: Allar already is a good college QB. But he can be so much more, and that’s what we’re waiting to see.
In a vacuum, that is very understandable analysis for Allar. There is no questioning the physical talent. He boasts a huge frame, has a very strong arm, and has plenty of arm talent. Inconsistency has always been the name of the game for Allar. Yes, he hasn't had great wide receivers but he has had some really good offensive lines, running backs, and an All-American tight end in Tyler Warren. Yet, Allar has still been very erratic at times.
The biggest issue with the list is some inconsistency in the criteria. There is always some projection in the preseason, but keeping Allar lower on the list, but proceeding to rank Lagway at No. 1 and Arch Manning at No. 4 seems more inconsistent than Allar in big games. Allar has accomplished more than either of those players, and was just on a team that made a run in the College Football Playoffs last season.
Having Mateer above Allar is okay, but you can also push back pretty hard on it as well. He began his career with Washington State, and was tremendous in 2024. He is, however, in a brand new situation. Mateer also didn't play against many good defenses last season, so just how will he translate in a struggling Oklahoma offense? That is the question.
Drew Allar bypassed the 2025 NFL Draft to return to Penn State, but was immediately met with some bad news
Drew Allar receives some bad news.
