The Penn State Nittany Lions have advanced to the College Football Playoff Semifinals and there’s a ton of buzz surrounding junior quarterback Drew Allar. With plenty of NFL teams in need of a new quarterback, let’s examine whether Allar will enter the 2025 NFL Draft and which teams make sense as a possible landing spot if he does.
Will Drew Allar Enter the 2025 NFL Draft or Return to Penn State?
In mid-December, Allar announced that he plans to return to Penn State for his senior season.
“This season has been the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life playing football and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team,” Allar posted on social media. “I know there’s still more work to do, which is why I look forward to making more memories with my teammates this year and beyond. But right now, we are solely focused on the opportunity we have as a team in front of us.”
But given Allar’s production throughout the College Football Playoffs, there is speculation that he may change his mind and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. At the time of his announcement, Allar was being discussed as a Day 2 prospect. But with his strong play and the lack of top quarterback prospects after Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward, he might be a first-round pick if he declares.
Multiple NFL executives have reportedly expressed interest in Allar, and it’s possible that his draft stock soaring in recent weeks could cause him to have a change of heart. Since making that announcement, Allar has led Penn State to a pair of CFP victories, including a 31-14 win over No. 3 Boise State in which he threw for three touchdowns.
If his run continues and he keeps stringing together impressive performances, the odds of Allar entering the 2025 NFL Draft will likely increase.
The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler was among those wondering if Allar will ultimately decide to declare given the increased interest from NFL front offices.
“I know Drew Allar ‘intends’ to return to Penn St. in 2025. But… There are several NFL GMs who believe Allar could enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a strong playoff run,” Brugler posted last week. “Teams are still heavily scouting him for the 2025 class.”
“A lot of eyes on Penn State QB Drew Allar tonight,” ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller added. “He has said he intends to return to school next year, BUT a lot of NFL decision-makers are hoping he might change his mind given his strong play down the stretch and the lack of top-end QB talent in the 2025 class.
“Allar has until Jan. 15 to decide if Penn State loses tonight. With a win, his decision is extended until Jan. 25.”
Penn State is now two wins away from winning a national championship. The Nittany Lions’ success, and Allar’s hand in it, could sway his NFL Draft decision.
Allar’s Background and Scouting Report
Allar is only 20 years old, so he would be one of the youngest quarterbacks in this class if he declares. His natural talent is a separator, and that has always been the case for him. At Medina High School in Ohio, he became his varsity team’s starting quarterback as a mere sophomore. By the end of his senior season, he was named Mr. Football of Ohio.
In his final HS campaign, Allar threw for 4,444 yards and 48 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. He also ran for 406 yards and nine scores. As recruiting outlets caught up to Allar’s film and rated him as high as five stars, teams like Penn State also took notice.
Allar had offers from virtually every blue-blood program in the Midwest — including Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame — but at Penn State, Allar had an opportunity to play early. He also had the chance to play under an experienced coach in James Franklin.
Allar was able to get his feet wet in 2022 in relief of Sean Clifford. And when Clifford graduated, Allar took the reins in 2023 and had a very productive first season as the full-time starter. While the Nittany Lions went 10-3 under his watch, Allar completed 233 of 389 attempts (59.9%) for 2,631 yards, 25 TDs, and just two INTs — joining Hendon Hooker as one of just two FBS QBs in history to throw for at least 25 TDs and two or fewer INTs in a season.
Granted, in 2023, Allar’s TD-to-INT ratio painted a disproportionate picture of the offense’s effectiveness. But it was a good start for a young QB, and Allar has only compounded that momentum in 2024.
This season, he has completed 250 of 371 passes (67.4%) for 3,192 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 285 yards and six touchdowns.
Over the course of his three-year collegiate career, he has thrown for 6,167 yards, 53 touchdowns, and nine interceptions on a 63.2% completion percentage while also rushing for 543 yards and 11 touchdowns.
At 6’5″, 241 pounds, Allar — a one-time five-star recruit — has quantifiably elite composite arm talent, with both arm strength and elasticity above the 90th percentile. He’s a good athlete for his size, but the majority of his appeal comes from his passing upside.
Allar can deliver with pace from many platforms — which, at his size, is an incredible quality to have. Beyond that raw talent, he flashes anticipatory tendencies as a passer, has a good natural mechanical feel, and has impressive command at the line for his age.
While his mechanics are solid, his footwork can lead to shoulder instability, and he’s also still learning how to properly channel touch and pace on certain throws.
Having said all this, there’s reason to be optimistic about Allar’s projection, as he has shown glimpses of promise as a field general, game manager, processor, and pocket navigator, and he has the elite raw talent to elevate a team.