Drew Allar laughed with receivers before hitting them deep near the end zone at Tuesday’s practice. There’s an obvious confidence that surrounds Allar, whether in practice or media scrum, that wasn’t there in his first season as Penn State’s starting quarterback. He’s changed physically, sure. But among anything else, Allar has blossomed into a leader.
There’s a reason Allar was selected a team captain by his peers and coaches. The quiet, lead-by-example Allar of yesteryear is no longer. In their eyes, Allar is the quarterback capable of making everyone better and leading the Nittany Lions to postseason glory. It’s become clear to James Franklin that Allar has taken a much-needed step forward.
“I think he’s running better, moving better. So it’s just kind of like total development in every area; he’s just gotten a little bit better because of the way he works, the way he prepares and the way he trains,” Franklin said Tuesday. “And he was voted by his peers, as well as all the coaches and the staff, as a captain, because of how we all see he handles his business. Total respect within our program.”
Allar isn’t just more vocal. He’s also slimmed down, which should present him as more of a rushing threat in an unpredictable system under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Allar now stands 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, down 10 pounds since the offseason began. With a refined build has come an evolved skill set that should fit like a perfect puzzle piece in Kotelnicki’s offense.
Kotelnicki once saw Allar’s potential on film. And over the past seven months, he’s seen him grow in person. Kotelnicki’s worked with a handful of quarterbacks over his 20-year coaching career, but Allar could be the most complete player he’s ever helped develop.
“His wittiness, his decision making, those kinds of things are really hard to coach, and they’re very, very evident when you watch them right away. And then we get here and reacknowledge, which I’ve said many times before, about the kind of just person he is, you know, the character,” Kotelnicki said. “His want to get better and grow is really, I mean, it’s next level. It’s second to none that I’ve worked with.”
The uncoachable attributes, how hard are those to find in a player? Very, Kotelnicki said. It’s why the best quarterbacks in the world, those who hold those qualities, get paid “a bazillion dollars.” Kotelnicki believes Allar has what can’t be taught, what numerous authors have written books about: the art of a great quarterback.
It’s just a matter of having Allar reach close to his ultimate potential while he’s still in college.
“As many success stories there are, there’s probably 10 ‘misses,’ however you want to define that. So those characteristics that he has, the fact that you can see them as you’re coaching him and you observe his play, is exciting,” Kotelnicki said.
Allar’s teammates have seen the flashes too. Receiver Harrison Wallace III described his arm as a cannon that takes a full-on sprint to catch up to. If only Allar’s deep ball was utilized last season as it’s expected to be this year, Penn State could’ve been an explosive play or two away from knocking off Ohio State and/or Michigan en route to the College Football Playoff.
Allar’s now a captain. His relationship with the coaching staff has evolved, as have his interactions with the wide receivers. He aims to be a different weapon, and his teammates and coaches seemingly believe he has the potential to define himself as one of the nation’s best in 2024.
“He’s really done everything right. He’s always been a really good preparation guy in terms of being in the building, studying the installs, watching a ton of tape, asking great questions. So it’s not like it’s one thing,” Franklin said. “When you keep punching the clock and keep doing the right things, you get better, and you gain confidence, you gain experience, the game starts to slow down for you.”
