Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has added a pair of preseason honors to his resume. On Thursday, Allar was named to the watch lists for the Manning Award, given annually to the nation’s top quarterback, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented to the top upperclassman signal caller in college football.
Allar was tabbed an All-Big Ten honorable mention last season, his first as a starter, after throwing for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns and two interceptions. His 0.51 interception percentage was the single-season record by a Nittany Lion in program history.
Although Allar was tremendously careful with the football, Penn State’s offense struggled to find consistent explosiveness in 2024 — especially in losses to Ohio State and Michigan. To help quell these concerns, James Franklin brought in former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, known for his personable attitude and explosive tendencies.
Allar, now almost fully acquainted with Kotelnicki’s system, appears relaxed and confident entering his second year as a starter. He told reporters after practice Thursday that, under Kotelnicki, he has worked to be a “thermostat versus a thermometer,” being able to control his attitude and emotions when things don’t go his way, or do.
“In my first two years here, I don’t think we really had that, and really last year, just me being a first time starter, like learning how to bounce back quicker was something I kind of struggled with,” Allar said. “Because I kind of dwell on things when things didn’t go my way, and I think I’ve done a better job of learning how to flush that.”
The 6-foot-5, 238-pound Allar has also been named to the watch lists for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding player, and the Davey O’Brien Award for the best quarterback in college football.
Allar is one of 12 Nittany Lions who have been named to preseason watch lists.
Other recognized Penn State players include Abdul Carter (Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Nagurski Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award), Nick Singleton (Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, Paul Hornung Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award), Kaytron Allen (Doak Walker Award), Tyler Warren (Mackey Award), Kevin Winston Jr. (Bednarik Award), Nick Dawkins (Wuerffel Trophy), Tyler Duzansky (Mannelly Award), Sal Wormley (Outland Trophy), Riley Thompson (Ray Guy Award) and Chase Meyer (Lou Groza Award) and Kobe King (Butkus Award).
