James Franklin: Penn State football QB Drew Allar has done ‘everything right’ since last season

The Penn State football team is just 11 days away from kickoff against West Virginia. Instead of easing into the 2024 season, the Nittany Lions will visit a hostile environment to take on the Mountaineers. For Penn State to walk away with a win, Drew Allar must perform well. After practice on Tuesday night, James Franklin provided a positive update on Allar and his development during fall camp.

A lot is riding on the shoulders of Penn State football QB Drew Allar in 2024. No longer can people label him as a first-year starter. This player has started in 13 career games and appeared in 23 games during his two seasons in Happy Valley. Now, Allar is tasked with being the face of the Nittany Lions who are hopeful to make the College Football Playoff this fall.

Allar has changed two areas of his game entering the 2024 season. The first is his leadership style. In 2023 when he was adjusting to his role on the team he led by example. But this season he has become more of a vocal leader and was named a team captain on August 17. Something that James Franklin believes says a lot about the junior gunslinger.

“I think that vote is very, very telling about how his teammates see him,” Franklin said following practice on Tuesday night. “He’s done everything right since last season.”

Allar has gone through a physical transformation as well

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The second area of Allar’s game that has changed since last season is learning to be more mobile. To be successful in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense the quarterback has to be able to use his legs. That’s why Drew Allar has worked hard to transform his body to make sure he can be more effective when running the ball or climbing the pocket.

James Franklin took notice of that part of Allar’s game as well.

“I think he’s running better, moving better, so it’s just kind of like the total development in every area, he’s just gotten a little better.”

Allar also commented on this in early August when speaking to the media. The physical transformation of his body prepares him for the long season ahead.

“I mean, I’m comfortable. I’ve never had an issue with running the ball, “Allar said. “Dropped ten pounds since the end of spring, so that was one of my goals. Talking to coach Franklin, the strength staff here, and the nutrition staff. Just getting to the low-mid 230s, playing at a lighter weight and allow me to move around a little better than I was during spring ball.

“Spring ball I felt really good about moving around but I was a little heavier than what we wanted. So, worked on that throughout the early parts of summer, I’ve hit my goals so I just need to work on maintaining that now and just keep improving at everything they ask me to do as a quarterback throughout this offense.”

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