Big Ten quarterback power rankings: Drew Allar and every other B1G QB
By Josh Yourish
![Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) waits for a play call against Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium. Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) waits for a play call against Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9a28c6127f4413190af783607f0ed7303168b030a6f0d48210f5b87ec29e94ce.jpg)
Big Ten QB rankings No. 3: Drew Allar, Penn State
- 1,445 passing yards
- 13 TDs 0 interceptions
- 61.0% completion
- 6.5 yards per attempt
Allar still deserves to be very high on this list. Despite his ugly stat line against Ohio State (18/42, 191 yards, 1 TD), the difference between Allar and Kyle McCord was Marvin Harrison Jr. outplaying Penn State’s receivers.
The key word for Allar is aggressiveness. There’s a chance that he has the Kirk Cousins gene, favoring check-downs and safe throws over taking necessary risks with the football. That’s resulted in just three turnover-worthy plays and no interceptions, but also an average of just 6.5 yards per attempt and an average depth of target of only 7.1. His ADOT ranks 16th out of 16 Big Ten quarterbacks and a full yard less than Luke Altmeyer who is 15th.
Allar is essentially the antithesis of Trace McSorley, he has all the physical abilities and talent, but none of the toughness or tenacity that made McSorley so great. The argument for Allar is that he also doesn’t have any of the receivers that McSorley did or McCord does at Ohio State. He’s throwing to KeAndrew Lambert-Smith and Theo Johnson, not Chris Godwin and Mike Gesicki.
I want to see deep shots from Allar, at this point I want to see an interception just to know he’s taking chances, but Allar can throw the ball. He’s accurate and makes good decisions. If he and McCord switched places on Saturday and Allar got throw to Marvin Harrison Jr against a Penn State defense without Chop Robinson, then he would’ve won that game for the Buckeyes like McCord did.
Allar’s receivers have dropped 16 balls this season which is the most drops any quarterback in the Big Ten has had this year. He just doesn’t have enough help on offense.
Allar needs help and early this week I wrote about five recruits that James Franklin needs to land for Penn State to finally beat Ohio State and Michigan. Check it out HERE.