James Franklin breaks down next step for Drew Allar in 2025

Penn State football enters the spring preparing for season number three with Drew Allar under center. With 29 starts under his belt, there’s very little that the Nittany Lions don’t know about their senior quarterback.

Allar led the Nittany Lions within an arm’s reach of the national championship game in 2024. However, the Penn State football coaching staff is still looking for their starting quarterback to take another step in his development as the offseason reaches a critical inflection point.

“I get this question a lot about a lot of players on our offense and defense. A lot of times, it’s not like one thing [that needs further development],” James Franklin said this week. “I would say that’s the case with Drew.

“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 terms of his completion percentage. Needs to take another step in terms of his touchdown-interception ratio.

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“It’s really all of it. There are some things we’ve had some conversations with [quarterbacks coach] Danny O’Brien that those conversations will stay between us, but I would say just being transparent, I will say I don’t think it’s one necessarily specific thing. It’s all of it.”

The Big Ten will be Allar’s conference in 2025

Penn State football quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien (left) with Drew Allar (center) and Ethan Grunkemeyer (right). © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

As a junior, Allar improved his completion percentage and passing efficiency compared to his first year as the Nittany Lions’ starter. He was third in the Big Ten with 3,327 yards and fourth in the conference with 24 touchdown passes.

With Will Howard and Dillion Gabriel off to the NFL, Allar is now the most proven quarterback in the Big Ten. Given how far he’s already come, there’s anticipation about what the former five-star recruit can accomplish in 2025.

“The thing that’s exciting about Drew, and you guys see him, he may be 6-5, 235 pounds, but he has a lot of growth and development,” Franklin continued. “He’s a young kid. He has taken significant steps every single year, as you guys, I think, are aware. He puts in a ton of time and knows how to prepare the right way, both mentally and physically.

“I think Danny does a really good job with him as well. I think the room challenges him as well. When you bring in new pieces, the two new wideouts, that puts him in a position to coach and get those guys ready.”

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