Penn State’s golden boy, Drew Allar, is back for another spin, and after that Notre Dame heartbreak, you know he’s hungry. More importantly, he’s back to build his NFL resume for the 2026 draft. And what could be a more opportune time to test the water than a compelling offseason? While there will undoubtedly be a lot of turns and twists in the script between late August and early January, fans currently have plenty to observe, with Pro Day serving as a crucial stage for scrutiny.

Penn State, like many teams, has experienced roster changes via the transfer portal, losing talented players such as Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter. However, come on, Allar, a nationally-ranked returning passer, is still on the pitch. His talent is undeniable whenever you watch the film. Yet, realistically, the quarterback is still striving for greater consistency and mastery of his craft. The third-year quarterback achieved a 56.7% completion rate against top-25 opponents last season, and his yards per attempt were notably lower in those contests, indicating he has a lot of work to prove.

That work began in earnest this week during the opening of Penn State spring practice. These 15 sessions will conclude on April 26 with the annual Blue-White Game in a renovating Beaver Stadium. Coach James Franklin stated that Allar must be able to improve his entire makeup before the season restarts at the end of August. Specifically, Franklin emphasized, “He needs to take another step this year, which we think he’s done every year he’s been here. He needs to take another step when it comes to his mobility. He needs to take another step when it comes to his leadership. He needs to take another step in it terms of his completion percentage. Needs to take another step in terms of his touchdown-interception ratio.” The ultimate test for Allar? Becoming a standout performer when the games mean the most when the tension is tight.

Between now and the end of September, when Oregon visits Beaver Stadium, he must continue improving his decision-making process and relationship with another new group of receivers. While his overall passing numbers looked good again last year (3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions), he and his offense still struggled in their biggest moments. The 6-foot-5 QB still has a lot to grow.

Amidst this anticipation, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg included him in his Top 15 college football quarterbacks, ranking Allar at No. 2. The quarterback is actively part of the Heisman conversation as the regular season approaches. However, simultaneously…

Rittenberg raised concerns about certain aspects of his game. The ESPN analyst spoke with anonymous coaches about Drew Allar’s developing potential. “He knows where to go with the ball, but it didn’t seem like the quarterback was beating you,” one coach reportedly said. “It was the system.”

Adding to the scrutiny, Allar’s Pro Day performance is currently a significant topic online. The Penn State QB threw to receiver Julian Fleming with the expectation of drawing considerable attention from scouts. However, this decision seemingly backfired as fans identified numerous issues with his throwing technique.

Fans go frenzy seeing Drew Allar’s performance at Pro Day

Penn State’s highly regarded player, Drew Allar, carries the hope of being a pivotal force for the team leading into the upcoming season. Yet, memories linger of how he struggled during a critical game against Oregon, making errant throws, missing potential touchdowns on deep passes, and more. His underperformance at such a crucial juncture was disappointing. One simply wrote, “He’s awful.”

At the Pro Day, some perceived a repetition of these issues. One fan highlighted his perceived weaknesses, stating, “Big mistake to have Drew throwing to him. He can’t throw to WRs. Ask Beau P to come back. He is much more accurate. Drew would be the last one I would want throwing to me if I were looking to get drafted. Go look at the UM game.”

While his throwing ability is a subject of debate, his inconsistency appears evident. His performance in front of scouts suggests he might require further development before being fully prepared for the next level. Given his perceived accuracy issues, fans are finding it difficult to envision him being drafted by a strong team next year. One fan countered the perceived excessive media praise, writing, “projected top 2026 NFL Draft prospect. By whom? Do these folks watch the games? He’s not a pro QB.”

Throughout the past year, his reads and throws have often been slow, and the running backs have frequently helped the offense out of difficult situations. The Pro Day performance didn’t seem to deviate significantly from this pattern. Fans noted his sluggishness during his attempts, with one commenting, “Allar not looking sharp there at all.”

Some fans even resorted to lighthearted criticism, with one joking, “Projected top 2026 insurance sales agent.” While these judgments might seem harsh, Allar possesses the inherent talent to develop into a high-caliber player. Going from doubted to dominant? That’s the kind of glow-up we love to see.