Olu Fashanu details what will be needed for Drew Allar, Penn State QBs to be successful in 2023

For the first time since 2019, Penn State football will break in a new starting QB this fall. While most fans and pundits expect former five-star prospect Drew Allar to get the starting nod, the official word from the program is that the QB battle between Allar and Beau Pribula is ongoing. But whoever trots out onto the field to take the first snaps against West Virginia on September 2, they can count on solid protection from the Penn State offensive line, led by left tackle Olu Fashanu. As a team captain, Fashanu’s words carry weight for the program. And this week at Big Ten Football Media Days, Fashanu gave some words of wisdom for the pair of Penn State QBs.

Fashanu to Drew Allar and Beau Pribula: ‘stay calm’

On Wednesday, James Franklin, Olu Fashanu, Keaton Ellis, and Adisa Isaac traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium for Big Ten Football Media Day. As the representatives for the Penn State football program made their way around the media circuit, the expectations of the 2023 roster, particularly at the QB position, was a reoccurring theme.

During a sit-down with Sirius XM’s Big Ten Radio, Fashanu was asked what Drew Allar needs to do as he settles into the role of the starting QB for Penn State. Although Fashanu didn’t go as far as to call Allar the starter, his advice will be valuable to all of the Nittany Lion QBs this season.

“I mean, for Drew and all of our quarterbacks, just stay calm,” Fashanu said. “You know, don’t think about it too much; just do your game. At the end of the day, they’ve all been working hard the entire offseason. So, as long as they just stay true to their craft, I feel like, again, everything will fall into place for them.”

Composure will be critical for Penn State QBs

While we’ve heard teammates commend Drew Allar’s composure at length during this offseason, this skillset will be critical for whoever opens the season for the Nittany Lions. Penn State faces four Power Five opponents in the first month of the season, including two Big Ten road matchups against Illinois and Northwestern. If the Nittany Lions can get out of September unscathed, then massive showdowns against Ohio State and Michigan loom down the stretch.

Most analysts agree that the Nittany Lions have the talent to do something special this season. So, for better or worse, Penn State’s postseason hopes in 2023 will most likely boil down to the performance it gets under center. And while most expect an elevated level of play, anything can happen with a first-year starting QB.

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