2026 PSU Draft Watch: Drew Allar Seeks To Silence Critics
Penn State signal-caller intends to handle 'unfinished business.'
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2026 NFL Draft Rankings: S || CB || LB || ER || DT || C || OG || OT || TE || WR || RB
TOP 10 DRAFT-ELIGIBLE PSU PROSPECTS FOR 2026
Location: University Park, PA || Conference: B1G || Head Coach: James Franklin (11 Years at PSU: 101-42; Overall: 125-57) || NFL Draft Picks Under Franklin: 62 (5.16/year) || NFL 1st Round Picks Under Franklin: 8 || PSU in NFL: 50
1. Drew Allar, QB, Sr, 6046, 235, 4.72e (photo: Penn State Athletics)
Evaluation: There is a sense of unfinished business for Allar, who returns to Penn State after falling just three points shy of playing for the school’s first national championship since 1986. Despite a run-first mentality approach on offense, the Ohio native is one of the more respected arms in all of college football due to his experience, awareness and durability. Operating a pro style offense, Allar is considered to be more of a traditional pocket-passer type who makes smart decisions with a 52:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His completion percentage (66.5) jumped up a year ago and he has thrown for more than 6,000 yards during his collegiate career thus far. However, more strides are needed. Entering his third season as the starting quarterback, expectations for Allar are at an all-time high but he will never reach his maximum potential until he gains the confidence needed to throw the ball downfield with more frequency. While he has prototype size and can make all the throws, Allar must take the next step in his development to satisfy NFL decision-makers. When he does depart Happy Valley, it will likely be as the Nittany Lions all-time greatest passer.
Background: Opened his collegiate career with 311 passing attempts without an interception, an FBS record, bettering Baylor’s Robert Griffin III’s 209 attempts in 2008. Since 1956, joins Bryce Petty (Baylor, 2011-14) as the only FBS quarterbacks with 800+ career pass attempts, 50+ touchdown passes and 10 or less interceptions. Joined Tennessee's Hendon Hooker (2022) as the only FBS quarterbacks ever to throw 25+ touchdown passes and 2 or less interceptions in a season. Majoring in recreation, park and tourism management. A four-star recruit from Medina High School, setting records for passing yards (9,103), career passing touchdowns (98), season passing yards (4,444), season passing touchdowns (48), passing yards in a game (525) and passing touchdowns in a game (5). Also played basketball and baseball. Son of Kevin and Dawn Allar, has one sister, Ryann. Father, Kevin, played football at Eastern Michigan as a tight end from 1992-97.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, ER, Sr, 6041, 266, 4.70e
Kaytron Allen, RB, Sr, 5102, 222, 4.50e
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Sr, 6001, 226, 4.38e
Zane Durant, DT, Sr, 6006, 288, 4.76e
Drew Shelton, OT, Sr, 6046, 307, 5.18e
Olaivavega Ioane, OG, rJr, 6031, 348, 5.48e
AJ Harris, CB, Jr, 6006, 193, 4.50e
Zakee Wheatley, S, rSr, 6016, 200, 4.52e
Nolan Rucci, OT, 6070, 308, 5.15e
IN MEMORIAM: TROPICAL BOWL FOUNDER MICHAEL QUARTEY (1978-2025)