Penn State football: Drew Allar, Ethan Grunkemeyer flash arm strength in joint workout

Once is chance. Twice is coincidence. The third time is a pattern. Penn State football has seemingly developed a consistent pipeline of quarterbacks from the state of Ohio in recent years. Of course, the reign of St. Xavier (Cincinnati) product Sean Clifford has recently just ended in Happy Valley. Nittany Lions fans are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the Drew Allar era, as the former five-star Medina prospect is expected to be the new starting quarterback this fall. In May, Penn State added a commitment from Olentangy quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who has since ascended in the national recruiting rankings.

But these last two – Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer – have much more in common than a home state. Both committed to James Franklin and the Nittany Lions as lower-level prospects and then became (or are in the process of becoming) late risers in their senior seasons. But the current and future Penn State quarterback also share the same personal coach, Brad Maendler. The well-respected quarterback guru recently posted a video in which Allar and Grunkemeyer showed some serious arm talent and strength.

Current and future Penn State football quarterbacks Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer flash arm strength in joint workout

Penn State football fans have been familiar with quarterback guru Brad Maendler for quite some time because of his work with Drew Allar. Allar has frequently credited Maendler with helping him to restructure his throwing motion during his ascent up the recruiting rankings as a high school prospect. But there has been even increased interest in Maendler as Allar is expected to take over the reins as Penn State’s starting quarterback this fall.

“He has that ability to make things happen when nothing should probably happen because the defense won that play,” Maendler told Blue-White Illustrated in an interview earlier this summer. “He can make plays. He’s special when things aren’t great or when things break down… that’s really where he comes alive.”

But Maendler has also become popular for posting workout videos of his pupils, which include many Ohio quarterbacks like Allar, Grunkemeyer, and Chase Herbstreit, son of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Last week, Maendler posted a video of a joint workout with Allar and Grunkemeyer before the sophomore Nittany Lion quarterback returns to Happy Valley for fall camp.

#WeAre…@AllarDrew @e_grunkemeyer

Great hands team…@owenfeliciano1 @GavinGrover87 @bwalker0816 #QBX🎯💪🌪 pic.twitter.com/XgfkZhkxuK

— Brad Maendler (@BradMaendler) July 15, 2023

Much like a similar video posted this spring, this workout shows Allar and Grunkemeyer making various throws across the field. In addition to some routes towards the sideline, both quarterbacks are shown stretching the field with vertical throws. The Penn State commit Ethan Grunkemeyer is also shown making several off-platform throws, as well as threading the needle between the goal post and a soccer net.

Although it is just a summer workout video, the zip of the ball off the hands of both quarterbacks can’t be denied. It appears as if the future of the Penn State football quarterback room will be in the capable hands – and arms – of Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer for years to come.

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