For the first time since his season-ending injury against Northwestern on Oct. 11, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar met with the media to discuss his ongoing recovery process.
Allar referenced a successful surgery to his left ankle and said he’s on “a really good track,” but he declined to provide a timeline for his return with the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day, various senior bowls and the NFL combine all coming in the spring.
“I have an amazing athletic team here that’s helping me out,” Allar said. “A ton of coaches are helping me out a ton, and I got a great team around me between parents and agents that have really helped me through the process so far. And honestly, I have really good teammates that have made the transition a lot easier.”
While Allar underwent what he referred to as one of the worst weekends of his life, his teammates were there to offer support. He said former head coach James Franklin, with whom he remains in frequent communication, was in the hospital with him the night of the injury.
He’s returned the favor, remaining around the program since his injury and traveling with the team to Ohio State and Michigan State. Donning a cast and riding on a scooter, Allar has been on the sidelines to offer support and advice throughout. It’s rare for injured players to be as involved as Allar has been, which he credited to his connection with players and staff members.
“Drew means everything to us,” interim head coach Terry Smith said. “You know, obviously we’ve won a lot of football games with him under the helm. He’s a tremendous leader, tremendous part of our locker room, our culture. Again, when we go back to the subject of opt outs and guys can walk away, he’s injured, he’s done for the year, he could easily detach from this team. He’s in every meeting, he’s in every practice, and he travels with us on the road, and that’s truly leadership.”
After starting 35 consecutive games with the Nittany Lions, including 26 victories, Allar said he wanted to finish out the year doing anything he could to help the team win, including working with Ethan Grunkemeyer, a fellow Ohio native, who took over as the starting quarterback.
The two watch film together in team facilities and talk before and during games. Allar said he’s seen noticeable strides in Grunkemeyer’s performances, and being outside the lines has given him a broader understanding and allowed him to see things he otherwise wouldn’t.
“It’s really just shifting my perspective on everything, and just seeing things in a different way than I have before,” Allar said.
Coaches and players have expressed gratitude for Allar’s presence throughout the last month, citing the impact from an X’s and O’s standpoint but also as an emotional catalyst as they navigate a hectic season.
“Drew’s been really good, obviously got a lot going on this whole season, but he’s been there for everybody, still being that leader, still speaking up when stuff needs to be said,” running back Nick Singleton said. “He brings energy too. He’s not a down guy.”
When reflecting on his college career, which is likely completed, Allar admitted Penn State “fell short of our ultimate goals.” But he also called it a “fun ride” and said there’s a lot to be proud of for him and the rest of the seniors, who will be recognized on Saturday ahead of their final game in Beaver Stadium.
Looking to an uncertain future, Allar — who finished with the highest career completion percentage in Penn State history — remained confident in his abilities, adding that he’s had more time to watch NFL film and grow his understanding of schemes and coverages in preparation for entering the draft.
“I think my best football is ahead of me,” Allar said. “I think, honestly, this injury might be a blessing for me, just to be able to kind of sit back and reflect on different things and just learn different things.”
