Predicting Penn State Football’s 2022 QB Depth Chart
By Andrew Adair
Second String: Drew Allar(FR)
Drew Allar is the answer to most Penn State fans’ prayers.
According to 247 Sports All-Time Rankings, Allar is the ninth-best recruit to ever commit to the Nittany Lions and the best Quarterback since Christian Hackenberg in 2013.
Allar was recently named 2021 Ohio Mr. Football, an award given by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
The top recruit out of Ohio had a tremendous season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 57 touchdowns in 14 games.
Penn State Football landing Allar is attributed to new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. While Yurcich’s first season calling plays in Happy Valley didn’t go as planned, if he is luring talent like Allar in, that will buy him some time to fix the issues of the offensive side of the ball.
Allen Trieu of 247 Sports compares Drew Allar to Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen:
"“Has a strong arm with good velocity on his passes and high school offense allows him to make throws to every part of the field. Very good at off-platform throws and having to change arm angles to make throws without needing to set his feet. But can also stand in the pocket and deliver the ball on time. Seems to have a good understanding of timing and anticipation. Has smarts, work ethic and general intangibles. Coordinated athlete with his feet so he can slide around and make throws while on the move but is not as much of a running threat at this age.”-Allen Trieu, National Recruting Analyst, 247 Sports “Has a strong arm with good velocity on his passes and high school offense allows him to make throws to every part of the field. Very good at off-platform throws and having to change arm angles to make throws without needing to set his feet. But can also stand in the pocket and deliver the ball on time. Seems to have a good understanding of timing and anticipation. Has smarts, work ethic and general intangibles. Coordinated athlete with his feet so he can slide around and make throws while on the move but is not as much of a running threat at this age.”-Allen Trieu, National Recruting Analyst, 247 Sports"
For Penn State fans Football, it’s been a long time since a quarterback arrived in Happy Valley with such high expectations for an incoming freshman.
While he won’t start the season as the starter, if Sean Clifford struggles, Allar could be the reason for a short leash. He is enrolling early so he will get the benefit of Spring practices to learn the offense.
