James Franklin’s modus operandi and, by extension, Penn State’s performance in the playoffs last season was based on simplicity. They showed up and took care of the job without much flash or pageantry, averting undue risk. His QB1 Drew Allar played within himself, following the archetype for a game-manager type quarterback – sticking to the Xs and Os and coloring inside the lines, so to speak. But all of this went out of the window at the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame. The big occasion called for a big performance. What followed from Allar was quite the opposite. It’s almost as if the bright lights blinded him as 38 seconds of egregious quarterbacking potentially cost his team a spot in the natty.

Now that the dust has settled on the ‘24 season, James Franklin can take some solace from his team’s efforts to get to the final 4. But you’ve gotta feel for him. Yet again, Coach Franklin’s fingerprints were all over the site of a proverbial crime scene involving PSU and a blue-chip program. His now infamous record against Top 10 opposition surged to a condemnable 3-20.

The buck for that loss against the Irish does stop with Drew Allar. A microcosm of his evening was the final 38 seconds of the game, as alluded to earlier. Allar threw an interception in his own team’s half when the scores were level at 24 a piece. When all he needed to do was see the clock out and take things to overtime. Notre Dame scored from the resulting drive. To rub salt into fresh wounds, Allar then threw a lateral out of bounds as the very last action of the game. So, let’s get a couple of things straight. Drew Allar is a good quarterback who has all the requisite traits to be excellent. But that’s the issue. That’s what spawns disappointment and frustration around Happy Valley.

Allar is still relatively young, with a high ceiling. But as evidenced against Notre Dame, the floor is low. Maybe that game isn’t a fair reflection. Since then, even this perceived low floor left from under his feet as he sunk. But he’s merited a second chance. Allar has shown plenty of promise in a Nittany Lions shirt. With that baked in, Coach Franklin has cleared his stance on his QB1. During his spring camp presser, he spoke extensively on what growth he needs to see from Allar – including the specific attributes that still have room for said growth.

“[Drew Allar] needs to take another step this year, which I think he’s done every single year that he’s been here,” said James Franklin. “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 terms of his completion percentage… in terms of his Touchdown-Interception ratio. It’s really all of it.” Expecting holistic growth from a QB who’s now got a lot of experience- good and bad- under his belt is fair.

Franklin also said, “Me and Drew have had some conversations with [QBs coach] Danny O’Brien. Those conversations will stay between us. But I would say, just being transparent with you, I don’t think it’s one specific thing. It’s all of it. That’s the thing that’s exciting about Drew.” Franklin then proceeded to elaborate on the positives.

“[Allar] may be 6 ‘5, 235lb. But he’s still got a lot of growth and development. I mean, he’s a young kid… He puts in a ton of time and knows how to prepare the right way. Both mentally and physically. I think Danny [O’Brien] does a really good job with him. I think the [rest of the QB] room challenges him as well,” remarked Coach Franklin.

Well, Drew Allar does have some familiar help in the backfield returning after also foregoing the NFL Draft. The football variants of Sonic and Knuckles – tailbacks Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. This familiarity and a potent complementary run-game bodes well for Allar’s growth. Franklin’s words are reassuring. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in State College.

James Franklin lends an update on issues with Drew Allar’s supporting cast

Penn State is considered a legitimate championship contender headed into 2025. Fans and experts alike are willing to overlook James Franklin’s big-game record as well as Drew Allar’s potential deficiencies. Why? Because of the continuity in personnel at Franklin’s disposal. Having your key players – the spine of your team – back is a precious commodity in CFB. Penn State has been afforded that luxury. 

A bunch of starters are returning next year. With another year of collective development and maturity, it’s understandable why PSU is deemed a contender. However, they still needed a seamless spring camp to keep working on chemistry and get reps under their belt. Unfortunately, a couple of key players are missing camp owing to injury. 247Sports’ Tyler Donohue relayed some bad news from the James Franklin presser. “Tight end Andrew Rappleyea and offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh won’t be fully available to start spring practices after both suffered injuries last season,” he wrote on X.

Now that Tyler Warren is off to the NFL, Andrew Rappleyea was trending towards being an important piece to the offense. Anthony Donkoh’s absence also means Drew Allar’s protection could potentially be hampered. The supporting cast around the QB is compromised a little. That said, Allar can’t be afforded any excuses. He’s got enough around him to thrive. To grow. Coach Franklin will hope his plea doesn’t fall on deaf ears. Good quarterbacking could really push Penn State over the big-game hump and allow Franklin to get that monkey off his back. Maybe even propel them to the natty.