Penn State news, notes, and updates for Aug. 5 include the belief that Drew Allar will have a bounce-back year in 2024, headlines of the day, and more. It’s time to dive into Monday’s top tweets and stories about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
We start with Pro Football Focus’ 2024 bounce-back projections. The outlet’s Mitch Kaiser suggests that Allar, the Nittany Lions’ second-year and junior starting quarterback, will be better this fall than he was a year ago. His stats were fine in 2023, of course, including an impressive 25-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But, in the team’s biggest games, he and the offense could not muster the output needed to win.
“The Penn State signal-caller has the talent and traits desired in an NFL quarterback, with arm strength being a standout quality that excites draft scouts. However, he underperformed in his first year as a starter in college football, throwing for less than 3,000 yards and completing less than 60% of his passes,” Kaiser writes. “Allar recorded only 12 big-time throws last season, and he finished the year averaging a very modest 6.7 yards per attempt. His 2.9% big-time throw rate ranked tied 71st among 86 qualifying Power Five quarterbacks.
“The Penn State offensive line also struggled last season, allowing 128 pressures on 428 dropbacks. Despite this, Allar excelled at avoiding sacks, with his 10.2% pressure-to-sack ratio ranking 16th in the FBS. His performance under pressure was less impressive, though, as he earned a 56.5 passing grade under pressure compared to an 87.4 grade from a clean pocket. Allar has areas to improve, but he is a better quarterback than his statistics suggest. If head coach James Franklin and new offensive coordinator can build the offense around him, Allar has the potential to live up to his high school hype and rise up draft boards.”
Headlines of the day
What were the top takeaways from Penn State football media day? : Pickel, BWI
Tyler Warren is Penn State’s main man at TE, and there are some intriguing youngsters behind him : Flounders, PennLive
Notes: Andy Kotelnicki’s approach, tracking the Penn State receivers and meeting the new guys : Fitz, BWI
Joe Kovacs Wins Third Silver Medal in Shot Put at Paris Olympics : Wogenrich, SI
Call/response: Penn State media day clarifies preseason questions : Bauer, BWI
Joey Schlaffer, Luke Reynolds growing into Penn State’s tight ends of the future : Linderman, Daily Collegian
Quote of the day
“I definitely feel more natural in that role,” Allar said. “And I think between me, [quarterbacks coach] Danny [O’Brien], Coach [Kotelnicki], and Coach Franklin, it was something that I wanted to be very intentional in taking my next steps in my progression of being more of a vocal leader.
“I’m always going to be a lead-by-example guy first. That’s just kind of how I’m wired. You know, put the work in, and less talking and do the work and go out and perform. But, I want to be that vocal leader for the team. I want to be on the same page as all the players and then be that communicator between players and coaching staff, and coaching staff to players, relaying whatever message I need to do, and just being open and honest with my thoughts.”
–PSU QB Drew Allar on his leadership style in 2024.
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