Penn State and coach James Franklin felt a gut in the punch when backup QB Beau Pribula took a step forward in the existing transfer portal mess. Pribula, the red-shirt sophomore quarterback from Central York, left a formidable mark despite playing under the shadow of QB Drew Allar for a third straight year. He put together 187 offensive snaps this season. He rushed for 242 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Nittany Lions to an unprecedented playoff path. But as he announced he is leaving for another program before the season ends, it becomes a debatable discussion of how it will hamper the Nittany Lions’ roster strength. Urber Mayer, in the Triple Option podcast, added a heartbreaking detail.

People who blamed Pribula for leaving the Nittany Lions at a crucial juncture should see the bigger picture. He is a scapegoat of a flawed system. Joel Klatt had already lambasted the CFB higher-ups for putting the student-athletes in jeopardy through the uncanny overlapping of the portal and the regular season. It’s beyond debate that Pribula was torn. He wanted to contribute to his team on a historic national champion path, but if he did that, his career would hang in the balance. The motion to the portal stemmed from Drew Allar’s decision to return to Penn State for 2025. Naturally, Pribula did not want to be a backup for another year. Since the portal opens from December 9th to December 28th, the transfer is his only shot to get a starting role next year.

Adding reasons for you to sympathize with the kid, Mayer, the former Ohio State coach, noted, ”I almost fell out when I saw that this kid’s a hell of a player man and from every, I don’t know him but I heard coach Franklin talk about him we covered their games. They say he’s always wanted to be a Nittany Lion. I mean, this guy’s a good player, and this broke my heart.”

It’s not about any guilt but about an unexplainable tragedy for a player who failed to prove his loyalty to the team where he bloomed, for a team who expected their go-to- guy for the climax of the national title contention but left empty-handed as well. ”I’m sick because to see a player walk out and leave a team as they’re getting ready to do something possible historic, Penn State’s got the best path to make a run at this thing.” The path couldn’t have been better for Penn State. They’d start the first-round proceedings at home against SMU Mustangs. If they win, they will face Boise State. Imagine getting this slate of teams after losing the B1G Championship game.

However, now that the Nittany Lions will no longer have Pribula’s services, there is a genuine cause for concern. Meyer highlighted that concern, asking, “I can’t imagine, Mark, you’re a player, and I’m a coach obviously, what your heart you imagine if Drew Allar goes down, I mean, Bingo.” The host, Rob Stone, took it forward and made it clear. “You’re on your third-string quarterback.”

Meyer added, “God forbid, Drew Allar grabs an ankle, and you look, I don’t know [who] their third-string quarterback is. I don’t know. Maybe they got a Cardale Jones like we had hanging around back there, but probably not, so I’m heartbroken there.”

Before we get into Penn State’s third-string quarterback, let’s introduce you to the legend of Cardale Jones. 2014 season, Urban Meyer is coaching the Ohio State Buckeyes, and he has Jones on his depth chart behind JT Barrett and Braxton Miller. Rarely do we see the third-string QB getting a start. Jones got one. It was the first start of his college career. The occasion?

A little thing called the Big Ten Championship Game. Result? He led the team to a 59-0 victory against the Badgers. Hold on! It’s just the start. The Buckeyes played Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. A 42-35 victory to head to the national championship game. We’re just still not done. The national championship game against Oregon Ducks? Ohio State won by 42-20. Jones managed 280 all-purpose yards (2 TDs).

Penn State doesn’t have a Cardale Jones. However, Ethan Grunkemeyer, who grew up next to Columbus and broke several high school records, is a reliable backup option for James Franklin.

Will Penn State dodge Beau Pribula’s absence in the first round? 

Freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer stood up to the No. 3 option ever since red-shirt freshman Jaxon Smolik was injured earlier this year. Smolik is medically cleared to return to action. Grunkemeyer, on the other hand, did not get the game time in 2024, but he honed his skills extensively in rigorous practices. Head coach James Franklin said both Smolik and Grunkemeyer ‘‘will be part of the equation” as the No. 2 quarterback on Saturday to keep the Mustangs in check.

But if he has to compare with the amount of prices, he has to keep Grunkemeyer ahead of the other QB. The coach phenom detailed that he got 350 reps more in practice and earned the faith to take care of an impact game. The main guy, Drew Allar, also gave his vote of confidence to the former four-star recruit. He believes the kid knows what it is like to prepare week in and week out, and it will be really worth having him on the field on such a crucial day.

However, contrary to all the praises, the fact that really makes the Penn State fans worried is that Grunkemeyer has yet to play. He has no experience, after all. Even in blowout victories over Kent State, Purdue, and Maryland, Grunkemeyer couldn’t get a single chance to prove his ability. Exposing him directly to such an impact match can backfire against the Nittany Lions’ coveted national title dream.

But if everything goes right and Grunkemeyer can get the job done, Franklin may not have to regret losing Beau Pribula anymore. Pribula might have some regrets, but that’s another story.