Drew Allar has ‘exploded’ with physical improvements this year, per Penn State strength coach

Drew Allar came to Penn State as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 overall QB for the class of 2022. But, of course, that doesn’t mean he stepped onto campus as a finished product. In fact, while he possesses some innate physical abilities on the field, from a body composition standpoint, Allar was far from complete. But according to Penn State football strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey, Allar has “exploded” with physical improvements from year one to year two.

Chuck Losey says Penn State QB Drew Allar has “exploded” with physical improvements

Drew Allar arrived at Penn State as one of the program’s highest-rated QB recruits ever. Not surprisingly, the former five-star prospect came to Happy Valley with impressive skills with the ball in his hands. But physically speaking, Allar was a relatively raw prospect. Penn State football strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey has noted several times that it was Allar’s counterpart, Beau Pribula, who came to campus with a higher physical “training age.”

Losey reiterated this fact when we spoke to him on Tuesday during Penn State’s bye week. But, the Nittany Lions’ strength coach was quick to point out the rapid progress Drew Allar has made since arriving on campus in January 2022.

“[With] Drew coming in with such a young training age, he’s pretty much exploded in all areas,” Losey said. “He’s done an outstanding job getting his body weight up. He’s playing at 235 pounds right now, which increases his durability for us throughout the season. His power numbers, all the metrics in the weight room, are exponentially up from what they originally were.”

The weight change is a notable development for Allar. The Medina, Ohio, prospect came to Penn State weighing around 225 pounds and put on about 20-25 pounds last year. Penn State football currently lists Allar at 242 pounds.

What does Allar still need to work on?

While Allar’s progress in the weight room is encouraging, his work is far from done. Chuck Losey noted that quickness is one area Penn State still wants Allar to grow. “Speed is another area that was a work in progress,” he said. “That’s an area we’re going to really dial in, and continue to dial in on, for him.”

But if Drew Allar is anything, he’s a willing pupil. Losey closed his evaluation of Allar by explaining the qualities that make the Penn State QB stand out.

“Drew doesn’t shy away from any type of work. Regardless of the type of training we’re doing in here or out on the field. He wants to train heavy; he wants to train hard; he wants to train aggressive. And he lets me train him that way. And I love that. He doesn’t kick; he doesn’t buck. I love it. So, I’m super happy with Drew.”

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