The Northwestern Wildcats came to Beaver Stadium as a 20-point underdog in Week 7. Instead, a series of mistakes and unprecedented plays finally led the team to an unexpected 22-21 victory. However, the team’s woes are a whole different saga under James Franklin, and he paid the price. His QB1, Drew Allar’s season-ending injury, has witnessed his college career conclude. Knowing there’s no coming back, the quarterback bit the bullet and addressed the team in an emotional message.

Late in the fourth quarter, Penn State trailed Northwestern 21-22. Allar got a 3rd-and-4 do-or-die opportunity to sustain his drive. He tried to scramble for the first down, but the tacklers sandwiched him. After the tackles, we saw Allar grabbing his left leg, visibly in agony. He left the game, and Ethan Grunkemeyer came to replace him and couldn’t gain anything on 4th-and-3. That crashed Penn State’s season hopes since Northwestern controlled the clock afterward. As for Allar’s injury, it was much bigger than first feared.

“Drew will be done for the year,” said James Franklin on Allar’s injury after the game. After his college football career had stopped, Allar took inspiration from the Bible. “Grateful for it all,” wrote the Penn State QB1 on his IG account. Not just that, the Allar also shared a powerful message from the Bible, sharing several photos of his moments at Penn State.

“Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” wrote Allar. Allar played as a starter for Penn State for three years, with many considering him a potential top-10 pick in the NFL draft. This year, however, Allar had accumulated 1,100 yards so far at 64.8% efficiency at Penn State and had 172 rushing yards. The performances raised red flags about his 2024 season woes, and now the injury complicates his draft fate.

However, Drew Allar can still apply for a medical redshirt if the NCAA grants it. Barring that, the PSU QB1 will most likely now prepare for his draft and is being touted as a third-round pick after his injury. “Drew Allar would have been a first-rounder to some in 2026. [Now] he’ll be a late-Day 3 dart throw in April if he doesn’t apply for and win a medical redshirt,” said Thor Nystrom, a famous draft analyst.

Allar, too, hasn’t made life easy for himself under center, showcasing the same rookie mistakes from 2024. Even if he is granted a medical redshirt, that’s another setback, combined with James Franklin’s public dismissal.

Penn State cuts ties with Franklin; Allar’s future in limbo

After going 0-3 in the Big Ten with unexpected losses against UCLA and Northwestern, Penn State has fired James Franklin. The previous move seemed less probable given Franklin’s $50 million buyout. But after the Beaver Stadium roared with ‘Fire Franklin’ chants after the Northwestern loss, it was inevitable. There’s no hiding place for James Franklin at Penn State, as he got the boot.

“Penn State owes an enormous amount of gratitude to Coach Franklin, who rebuilt our football program into a national power. However, we hold our athletics programs to the highest of standards, and we believe this is the right moment for new leadership at the helm of our football program to advance us toward Big Ten and national championships,” said Athletic Director Pat Kraft after James Franklin’s firing. So, what’s next for Drew Allar then?

He’s stuck himself, although his productivity numbers went through the roof during his time at Penn State. Allar has amassed 7,402 passing yards, playing for four years at Penn State, and 736 rushing yards. The only problem the quarterback could face is questions regarding his efficiency, which hovers around 63%. Undoubtedly, Allar’s still a seed yet to bloom.

Furthermore, his turnovers, failure to scramble away from tackles effectively, and interceptions (13) will be scrutinized. His performance so far hasn’t shown Allar to be a world-class quarterback, and that surely will appear in the NFL draft.