Penn State thought they were the team to beat. Thought 2024 was the year they finally flipped the narrative—historic 13-win season, diabolical defense, and a quarterback built like an NFL prototype with a cannon for an arm. But just when the fairy tale was about to hit the final page, Drew Allar tossed it straight to Notre Dame. Orange Bowl. Under a minute left. Pick. Season: torched. And that’s all. But that wasn’t just a game-losing interception—nah, that was a full-blown cold splash on James Franklin’s legacy.

And Adam Breneman isn’t afraid to speak his mind. On May 2nd, Breneman sat on his podcast and dropped four icy words for Franklin: “The excuses are gone.” Then doubled down on Allar’s future, straight up saying, “I would say Drew Allar absolutely has a shot to win the Heisman. He’s probably my Heisman favorite right now. He’s got one of the best rosters in the country around him; Penn State brought in some great receivers, which has been an issue for them that that receive room, they now have a couple great players……if the Penn State can win the big games next year, Allar’s name will be number one in the Heisman conversation, let alone will probably be the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft.”

Delusional? Probably. But look at the squad. A loaded backfield, a fresh receiver room, one of the nastiest O-lines in the country, and an OC in Andy Kotelnicki who actually builds an offense for the QB to eat. Franklin? No more excuses. Period.

Let’s talk numbers. Allar’s sitting at +1400 Heisman odds per BetMGM. That’s behind Garrett Nussmeier, Cade Klubnik, Jeremiah Smith, and Arch Manning. But don’t sleep. Allar’s already posted 3,327 yards, 24 TDs, and 8 picks in 2024. He’s got that 6’5″, 238-lb NFL build with a heater for a right arm. And this isn’t any repeat of last year’s offensive mediocrity—Penn State went full reload.

Trebor Pena (best in ACC), Kyron Hudson (USC big-play merchant), and Devonte Ross (Troy’s 1K-yard burner) just pulled up. Combine that with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen—both cracked 1K yards—and what you’ve got is an offense that’s straight-up bully material.

And that O-line? Drew Shelton, Nolan Rucci, Olaivavega Ioane, Nick Dawkins—the linemen built to protect a first-rounder. If you thought Tyler Warren gone, they finna slow down? Nah, they got some tight ends, too. red-zone threat Luke Reynolds and Khalil Dinkins. The setup’s cleaner than a five-star kitchen. So yeah, Franklin has to cook now or shut the kitchen down. You 1–15 vs. Top 5 squads and 4–20 vs. Top 10? That isn’t it, chief. Not with this roster. Not with this kind of Heisman and NFL hype bubbling around Allar. Penn State fans are done clapping for moral victories. It’s natty or nothing, and if it isn’t now, when?

Drew Allar to Saints or Colts in 2026 NFL draft?

Now, while Drew Allar’s lighting up Happy Valley, two NFL squads got binoculars glued to their faces—Colts and Saints. Both just drafted QBs in 2025, but ain’t nobody sold. The Saints took Tyler Shough in Round 2. The Colts snagged Riley Leonard late. Those picks? Insurance policies. But Drew Allar? That’s a franchise flipper.

Let’s start with NOLA. Derek Carr’s donezo with that injury. New HC Kellen Moore’s trying to build something watchable down south. Jordan Reid of ESPN said it best: “Allar’s got the prototypical size and raw tools coaches dream of.” Reid also pointed to the improved completion rate, from 60% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024. That’s growth. But the Saints aren’t just looking for traits. They need a QB who can make it out of the trenches. Moore’s offense? It’s QB-friendly if you’ve got the brain and arm. Allar’s got the arm—now it’s about proving the rest.

Meanwhile, the Colts? They’re sitting on Anthony Richardson, who’s as inconsistent as your ex’s texting habits. They’re giving him one more year to prove. Look, the front office knows it too. They need a stable leader, a traditional pocket passer with real IQ—and Allar fits that bill to a tee. 6’5″, 238 pounds, arm for days, and experience in a complex offense under Kotelnicki? Yeah, Indy’s licking their chops already.

And don’t forget the Big Ten shakeup. Ohio State lost stars like Egbuka, Judkins, and Henderson to the draft. Michigan’s retooling. Wisconsin is still Wisconsin. The path is clear for Penn State to run the table. If Allar delivers a conference title? He’s not just a top pick—he’s probably QB1 overall. The Saints and Colts got options. Clemson’s QB (Cade Klubnik) is evolving. But Allar? He’s the safe, high-ceiling pick. NFL GMs love that mix. And his decision to return to college wasn’t just about unfinished business. It was chess. Another year to iron out those mental errors, sharpen decision-making, and stack resume tape.

By mid-season 2025, you would probably see that every mock draft has Drew Allar’s name sitting in the Top 5. Who knows if Saints fans start chanting for him before Shough even learns the offense? Same goes for Indy. If Richardson fumbles the bag, Allar’s going to look real appetizing. In the NFL game of musical chairs, quarterbacks get evaluated under microscopes. One wrong read becomes a red flag. But if Allar cleans it up, keeps balling, and leads Penn State to hardware? He isn’t just in the Heisman convo—he’s in every war room conversation come April 2026. And James Franklin? He’d better ride this wave like his career depends on it. Because guess what? It just might.