Will Drew Allar be a boom or bust this season? The 2025 college football predictions are up in the air, and 247Sports is pretty high on the returning Penn State QB. They got him at the top among Big Ten QBs heading into the season. And yeah, they don’t just throw names around for fun. But again, we can’t really let all the hype cloud our judgement right? While the 21-year-old is back for his senior season at Happy Valley after forgoing the 2025 NFL draft, there’s some questions. And it’s not about whether he can sling it. It’s more about whether he can win big games.
That’s where Daniel Gallen from Lions247 comes in. He joined in a new episode on Cover 3 Podcast with Bud Elliott to discuss Drew Allar’s need for growth. “I think that the one thing that it comes back to us how is he going to perform in these big games?” he questioned. “What is he going to do when Oregon comes to Beaver Stadium in September? What is he going to do at Columbus against Ohio State in early November and then any postseason games?” The message is clear. It’s not about showing up strong against easy opponents. The kid’s got to step up when it counts.
You look at the numbers and think he’s not bad. Drew Allar went for 3,327 yards and 24 TDs last year. He also rushed for a career-high 302 yards and six scores. That’s growth. That’s a QB who finally found his legs under new OC Andy Kotelnicki. He also got Penn State to the college football playoff with wins over SMU and Boise State. But when the lights got brightest, Notre Dame, Orange Bowl, he folded. The completion percentage dropped from 71.6% in the regular season to 66.5%. That’s not what elite looks like.
The Notre Dame game in particular was ugly. Just 12-of-23 passing for 135 yards and a pick. Zero TDs. It’s the kind of performance that makes you wonder if he’s got that killer instinct. James Franklin’s response to what his QB should fix is “everything.” The thing is, Drew Allar doesn’t need a giant leap. He needs a dozen small ones. Sharpen the decision-making, smooth out the mechanics. The 2025 season kicks off on August 30 against Nevada. That’ll be his first chance to rewrite the narrative. If he delivers, he can go from being a good B1G QB to a legit NFL first-rounder. And speaking of the NFL…
Is Drew Allar the type of QB Tom Brady wants?
There’s talk in Vegas. The Raiders might already have their eyes on Drew Allar despite having a vet in Geno Smith. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso just mocked the Penn State QB to Las Vegas in the 2026 NFL Draft. As the 6th overall pick. “Allar has kinks to work out of his game – better decision-making and slightly better accuracy,” he wrote. “The traits are through the roof at 6-foot-5 and close to 240 pounds. Geno Smith is a fine short-term option for the Raiders. Allar represents significant upside for the future, and I could envision Tom Brady gravitating toward a pocket-passer type.”
The kicker is that Tom Brady, who’s now a minority owner for the Raiders, is catching heat for allegedly ghosting Shedeur Sanders, who looks up to him as a mentor as he slid down the board. Skip Bayless even called him a “two-faced hypocrite.” Of course, the NFL GOAT is denying it, saying he had no say in the draft selection process. But putting the past behind, Drew Allar could be the next face for the Raiders, who could be expected to learn a year under Smith.
A Brady-approved heir will come with a lot of pressure obviously. But again, it’s a huge compliment. So yeah, Drew Allar’s got the tools, the stage, and the endorsement. The question is — can he finally own it when it matters most?
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