Penn State football can't afford to lose these 3 recruits on National Signing Day

Much of the country has adopted the transfer portal as the best way to find a quarterback, but James Franklin still likes to find a top high schooler to groom for the position. That’s what he did with Drew Allar, the top quarterback in his class, and Ethan Grunkemeyer looks to be next in line. 

Grunkemeyer, like Allar, was a late-bloomer and he only had one Division 1 offer during his junior season. Now, he is a top-100 payer in the class and a four-star QB. 

Drew Allar did not have a great season in 2023, but I still wouldn’t be surprised if 2024 was his last in Happy Valley. If Allar has a breakout year in Kotelnicki’s offense, then with his high school pedigree, he’ll be off to the NFL. 

If it’s a struggle for him again, there’s not much reason for him to stick around with Penn State. Either Franklin would give up on him, or Allar would give up on Penn State and leave in the portal. 

Beau Pribula has looked okay in relief of Allar, but he’s a run-first guy who is unlikely to ever truly compete with the best quarterbacks in the country. Grunkemeyer is the clear succession plan, and without him, Franklin would have to resort to finding a transfer QB, something he’s never done before.