College Football

QB Drew Allar expected to return to Penn State in 2025

Updated Dec. 16, 2024 12:40 p.m. ET

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Drew Allar will be back in Happy Valley for the 2025 season.

The Penn State quarterback has told his coaches his plan to forgo early entry into the 2025 NFL Draft and return for his senior season, ESPN reported Monday. The news of Allar's decision came in the wake of backup quarterback Beau Pribula's announcement that he's entering the transfer portal. 

In a draft class that's been viewed as a relatively weaker one for quarterback prospects, Allar had been tabbed by some as the quarterback who could potentially help their draft stock the most in the College Football Playoff. He showed all-around improvements in his second season as a starter, completing 69.1% of his passes for 2,894 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go with 279 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. 

FOX Sports NFL Draft expert Rob Rang noted that Allar had "made significant strides as a pocket passer" ahead of his four-touchdown performance (three passing, one rushing) in Penn State's loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Rang also noted that Allar's traits, build (6-foot-5, 238 pounds) and "cannon" arm, along with his ability to not turn the ball over (nine interceptions in 733 career passing attempts), would excite scouts in the draft process.

But that process will be put on hold for at least another year. Allar's return will position Penn State to likely be among one of the top teams in the Big Ten and the country in 2025. It also takes out one more intriguing name from the 2025 NFL Draft and leaves continued uncertainty around the quarterback prospects. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami (Fla.'s) Cam Ward were the only two quarterbacks included in Rang's most recent mock draft, going second and 27th, respectfully. 

Of course, Penn State still has to make its way through the College Football Playoff before the program and Allar fully get ready for the 2025 season. Penn State earned the No. 6 seed and will host 11th-seeded SMU on Saturday. If it wins that game, Penn Still will take on third-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve.

If Penn State were to make a run to the title game, it could cause Allar to change his mind. He'll have until Jan. 24 to do so. That's the draft declaration deadline for players who play in the College Football Playoff National Championship. All other players have until Jan. 15 to decide.

Drew Allar connects with Harrison Wallace III who drags his feet for a TD, extending Penn State's lead over West Virginia

In the event that Allar switches his mind, Penn State has Ethan Grunkemeyer waiting in the wings. The freshman was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, ranking as the 103rd-best prospect in the class by 247 Sports. Grunkmeyer will likely replace Prigbula as Penn State's backup quarterback for its CFP run based on its projected depth charts from earlier in the season. 

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