Drew Allar was a three-star recruit from Ohio when he first caught the attention of Penn State, earning just his third power conference offer. He was a four-star when he committed to the Nittany Lions, despite receiving offers from other powerhouse programs. And he was a five-star by the time he stepped on campus.
Allar’s rapid ascension didn’t end when he arrived in Happy Valley. It continued year over year as he added speed and strength while improving his passing numbers. This offseason, Allar’s commitment to improvement has been particularly evident, as he’s pushed his physical limits to new heights under the guidance of Penn State’s strength and conditioning staff.
“In this time of the year, it’s easy, because everything is just based off a number, right? How fast are they running? How much are they lifting? What’s their time on this? and all of those things, Drew is the best that he’s been at,” Andrew Nelson, Penn State football’s director of performance science, said on Monday.
Other coaches have noted his improved footwork and enhanced ability to evade pressure this offseason, which have bolstered his performance as a mobile quarterback.
Despite outside criticism for lackluster performances in big games, Allar has developed into one of the top quarterbacks in the country, finishing No. 10 nationally in QBR last season.
His growth has been particularly pronounced under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, whose innovative schemes have allowed Allar to showcase his versatility.
In their first season together, Allar improved his completion rate from 59.9% to 66.5% while increasing his yards per completion from 6.8 to 8.4. These improvements reflect a quarterback who’s not only more accurate, but also more explosive, capable of stretching defenses with deep bombs.
Additionally, Penn State listed the quarterback seven pounds lighter than the year prior, and he rushed for almost 100 more yards and more touchdowns in 2024.
In an interview with reporter Audrey Snyder, Allar discussed his physical evolution, stating, “another year in the weight room has been invaluable.” He also described himself as the “most lean” he’s ever been
Allar has always been viewed as a developmental prospect with NFL-caliber size and a rocket arm. After foregoing the NFL to return for his senior season, he’s expected to take another step forward.
“I think he’s gonna have a huge year this year, and he’s just one of those guys where his play is gonna speak for itself. I don’t think I’m gonna have to say much, if anything,” strength coach Chuck Losey said on Monday.
Quarterbacks aren’t as dependent on physical traits as most other positions, and Allar’s main focus remains to be learning the offense and improving as a passer. Still, his improvement in the weight room is a promising sign of things to come in 2025.
“That’s a big thing for us, especially when that position specifically needs a little bit more care than others,” Nelson said. “So it’s hard to really push the envelope on some things, but from a purely physical standpoint, he’s putting up some of the best numbers he has in his entire career.”
As Allar prepares for his senior season, he’s already generating significant buzz as an NFL prospect. The combination of size, arm strength, and improved mobility makes him an intriguing candidate for the 2026 NFL draft. If he can deliver standout performances against elite defenses — particularly in matchups against Ohio State or Oregon — he could vault himself into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick.
“I’d say he’s smart. I’d say don’t be fooled by his quiet nature. He’s tough, he’s tough as nails, he’s durable, and he’s done nothing but get better every year on the program,” Losey said. “So I’m a huge Drew Allar fan.”
Joel Haas is a freelance writer covering Penn State football.
