The Happy Valley, as opposed to its name, is once again caught in a whirlwind. To say the least, star QB Drew Allar is currently facing a dilemma. Why? It all goes back to HC James Franklin’s recent decision to bring in a former star QB as a staff member for the Nittany Lions. Straight from the NFL! Now, there’s unrest in the program for three different things regarding the entry of the new assistant coach.

As per the university’s directory, former Lions star Trace McSorley will be joining the staff as an offensive analyst. Yes, alongside the head coach and quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien. During his time with the Lions (2016 – 2018), the Penn State legend created many records – as a three-year starter with career passing yards of 9,899 and 77 touchdown passes. Undoubtedly, McSorley has left an indelible mark in the history of Penn State college football. But where is the problem? As experts have pointed out, teaching is one thing, and playing it yourself is another. Can McSorley teach his ‘moxie’ to Drew Allar? We have yet to find out. This leads to the most important question. Will he be a better coach than others who have prior experience in the field?

Thomas FrankCarr broke down the pros and cons of having Trace McSorley on the coaching staff. On Blue While Illustrated, he remarked, “Trace doesn’t have any coaching experience like he’s coming from like uh the NFL kind of a year in between. I don’t know if he was coaching in the inter-intermediary, but not to the level of other guys that have had to earn it before joining Penn State. You know, Deion Barnes joined as a grad assistant when that was still a grad assistant thing and now the analyst positions are open to coaching.”

Experience does speak volumes more than a fanciful scorecard, and that’s true for McSorley’s NFL career. It didn’t match the heights of his college days, although that has never been the measure of his impact. McSorley was drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens, and he also spent a year in Arizona Cardinals, finishing his three-year NFL career with 502 passing yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions.

Thomas further states, “At this point, Allar probably has a better handle on the offense’s nuts and bolts than McSorley does. But I’m curious as to from the option game perspective, does McSorley who is really good at generating big plays out of the option game – does he have an ability to impart specific things that aren’t moxie to the conversation that can allow Allar to unlock some of those things in his game? And I’m not talking about just in the readoption game. I’m talking about the RPO game, throwing the ball, and of course in that read option because Andy Kotelnicki’s offense is more of a return to what Joe Moorhead did at Penn State. So, systematically, I think this is the area where Trace McSorley lives and it isn’t just about Drew Aller.”

As Drew Allar is returning to Penn State, HC James Franklin is going all out to give way for Allar’s major leap. To carve a legend for himself in the Big Ten championship game. However, Penn State is not the only one that has grand plans for the five-star recruit. And that’s right, it’s the NFL scouts.

All eyes are on Drew Allar as the NFL Draft draws closer

Despite his announcement, NFL agents were looking for even the slimmest chance of Drew Allar to change his mind. To what? Of course, to go pro. And as per reports, he could even be the third overall pick in this year’s draft. Yes, just after Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward. To be precise, they were after his powerful arm. Or his ability to make a precise out route or laser over the middle throws.

Looking back, Drew Allar was the No. 1 quarterback in the high school class of 2022 per 247Sports. And he has been shining in the field since then. During his first year with the Nittany Lions, he outdid himself. How? A combined 60 passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions. As expected of a full-time starting QB.

The 20-year-old is a power package in himself standing 6’5 tall with 240 pounds. Above all, he could be one of the youngest players to be drafted this year. Only if, he decided to submit his name. Needless to say, the young QB is committed to the Happy Valley for yet another season. And with Trace McSorley joining forces, what awaits Drew Allar and the Lions?