The 2024 draft is now in the rearview mirror. So, it’s time for the 2026 class to take over. Although we are yet to see the 2025 season and come to the draft stock judgement accordingly, the scouts are already setting their sights. Franklin has a lot of hopes on his returning QB, Drew Allar. And if that hope translates to a reality at the end of a gratifying season, and the Lions walk out with a trophy, there will be no way to stop Allar from climbing up the draft board.

Allar has led the Nittany Lions for the past two seasons to a 21-5 record. He helped Penn State to grab a College Football playoff berth for the first time in program history. The former five-star recruit from Ohio ranks 6 all-time at Penn State with 6,302 passing yards and third in passing touchdowns (50), behind only Sean Clifford and Trace McSorley. He has the highest completion percentage (63.6%) of any quarterback in school history. NFL teams were heavily after him for the 2025 class. His 6 ft 5 frame and the uncanny talent to thrive in the vertical passing system have been a rightful flex. But the QB ultimately chose to wait another year before hitting the pro.

Questions started to swirl: Can he gain the same hype heading to the year 2026? A report from the NFL rookiewatch answered. “Drew Allar’s mechanics look DIFFERENT heading into his final season.” ” Allar’s footwork and throwing motion are reportedly as ‘refined’ as they’ve ever been,” the report added,’ One NFL scout reportedly believed Allar could’ve been a Top-10 pick this past draft, had he declared. ”There were several suitors in the Top 10 this past draft that would’ve been gushing over Allar. He would’ve easily gone before Dart [Jaxson].”

That’s tantalizing. But the QB has a line of competitors waiting in the wings to grab the top spots of the 2026 draft card. Arch Manning, DJ Lagway, Nico Iamalaeava, and many more. Dylan Raiola’s also getting some hype to hit the 2026 class and emerge as one of the top prospects in the class. Manning in particular looms large. The hype train is already crowning him as the best pro rookie ever, even if he’s yet to play a snap as the full-fledged starter of the Longhorns. So, Allar’s top spot narrative seems a bit dicey, but his intention to hold on for a year doesn’t.

Drew Allar seems firm in his choice to delay the NFL fate 

Allar finished the regular season ranked first in Penn State history in career completion percentage (64.3) and pass efficiency (148.1) and fourth in career touchdown passes. But he still has areas to work on. He needs to clean up some decision-making hurdles in his films.

So, the decision to return to the school for one last year not only reflected his wisdom, but also a deep football instinct. His family and coaches know when he needs to pull the rug and step up. With a loaded 2025 class and a world-class defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, on board, Franklin looks to break the title drought. If Allar can play an instrumental role in it, his path to the pros will be a cakewalk. But it’s not just entirely football. It seems Allar returned home to have some more time to goof around with his buddies in the locker room.

“This season has been the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life playing football, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team,” Allar said in a social media post some time ago. “I know there’s still more work to do, which is why I look forward to making more memories with my teammates this year and beyond. But right now we are solely focused on the opportunity we have as a team in front of us.”

It will be interesting to see what last year in Pennsylvania has in store for Drew Allar.