Drew Allar is one of college football’s most anticipated quarterbacks of the upcoming season.
The Penn State football senior certainly elevated his overall game during last season’s 13-2 season, from his running ability to strong endings (at USC, at Minnesota) to his leadership and command of the offense.
But can he reach another, elite level in 2025?
That work began in earnest this week during the opening of Penn State spring practice. These 15 sessions will conclude on April 26 with the annual Blue-White Game in renovating Beaver Stadium.
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Coach James Franklin said Allar must be able to improve his entire makeup when the games begin again at the end of August.
“A lot of times it’s not like one thing,” Franklin said, when asked about Allar’s focus this spring.
“He needs to take another step this year, which we think he’s done every year he’s been here. He needs to take another step when it comes to his mobility. He needs to take another step when it comes to his leadership. He needs to take another step in it terms of his completion percentage. Needs to take another step in terms of his touchdown-interception ratio.
“It’s really all of it.”
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Here are three things Penn State must improve upon this spring to validate its lofty expectations:
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws the ball in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Penn State football: Drew Allar growing into a big-moment QB
The biggest level for Allar to reach? Becoming a standout performer when the games mean the most, when the tension is tightest.
Between now and the end of September, when Oregon visits Beaver Stadium, he must continue improving his decision-making process and relationship with another new group of receivers.
While his overall passing numbers looked good again last year (3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions) he and his offense still struggled in their biggest moments.
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He didn’t throw a touchdown pass in losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame and his 66.5 completion percentage sagged markedly during playoff games.
“The thing that’s exciting about Drew … he may be 6-5, 235 pounds, but he has a lot of growth and development (remaining). He’s (still) a young kid,” Franklin said.
Sorting out Linebacker U.: Who will replace Kobe King?
Dec 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic DeLuca (0) scores on an interception for touchdown during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Penn State returns one potential star linebacker (Tony Rojas), a big-play backup (Dom DeLuca) and a host of unproven commodities.
Though the Lions expect to lean on two-linebacker sets under new coordinator Jim Knowles, they will need more reliable contributors. And they could use a replacement for their standout presence in the middle, departing Kobe King.
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This may not get settled for a while, either. Rojas is still recovering from an apparent shoulder injury and DeLuca has only starred on the outside, and never on an every-play basis.
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The hope is that a couple of potential starting talents arise from a deep pool: junior Keon Wylie, sophomores Dakaari Nelson and Ta’Mere Robinson and freshmen LaVar Arrington, Jr., Alex Tatsch, Kari Jackson and Anthony Speca.
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None of them, though, had more than 11 tackles last season.
Get the receiver room back on track
Penn State wide receiver Tyseer Denmark (4) runs a route during warmups before an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.
Penn State nearly won a playoff semifinal game without a wide receiver catching a pass.
It’s been a tough three seasons for the Nittany Lions receiver room, which, once again, appears to be starting over. The group must make serious strides this spring, especially in locating a couple of premium, reliable leaders.
Could transfers Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross truly be answers?
Regardless, they will need more help from those returning (Liam Clifford, Kaden Saunders, Tyseer Denmark) and those arriving (freshmen Matthew Outen, Koby Howard, Lyrick Samuel).
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Saunders and Denmark may have the most to prove. Both are flashy, versatile performers who played little last year because of injury and inexperience.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: How Penn State football, Drew Allar can improve in spring practice
