Before the 2025 season started, there was genuine hype around Penn State. Drew Allar was returning. The RB duo was coming back for another go at the ultimate glory, and on his part, James Franklin had stacked his coaching staff. Jim Knowles came straight from the national champions. Naturally, several names featured on pre-season lists. The QB1 even had Heisman buzz going. First three games into the season, some of it looked real- although the offense was still a work in progress. And then the Whiteout game happened. A tough 24-30 loss, and all stocks have plummeted. The head coach is, of course, facing the ire, but the QB1 is also not hearing any good news.

Drew Allar’s 137 yards and 2 touchdowns, and an interception kept the Nittany Lions competitive at the end. But it wasn’t enough to overcome how the offense struggled most of the night. After Week 5 of college games, On3 updated the NIL values of the players.

Drew Allar’s NIL value has gone down from $2.8M to $2.2M. This is a massive $600K blow compared to the past week’s market value, which is a 21.4% loss. The 21-year-old started the season with $3.2M and fell drastically, losing $1M, that is -32%, in just 4 games. In the four games he played, Allar has 763 yards, with an average of 6.8 yards per attempt, and scored 6 touchdowns.

In the pre-season, Drew Allar was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate among CFB veterans and analysts. The hype was due to his last season’s performance, passing 3,327 yards, with an average of 8.4 yards per attempt, and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed 302 yards for 6 touchdowns.

When you lose on the field, it is bound to affect your stock outside the build. That’s what happened to Allar’s NIL value. Going forward, we may see him drop to the latter round of NFL draft predictions for 2026. But is it all on Allar? Did the Lions lose to the Ducks because of their QB1? Well, we have had mixed opinions.

Former Heisman winner has no hope in Drew Allar

After the Penn State vs Oregon game, Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and Johnny Manziel discussed Drew Allar’s game play on the Nightcap podcast. The football legends weren’t impressed with the QB and ended up questioning his potential. Shannon Sharpe said, “I don’t think I’m impressed with that quarterback.”

Manzel, on his potential NFL Draft, said, “We’re talking about 15 being a guy, can he go to the league? Is he the best quarterback in this class?… 137 ain’t it. You’re supposed to have that in a quarter in college.” Sharpe then questioned why he didn’t live up to the hype, as most wonder if he will be a top pick in the NFL draft.

“You played a game and two extra possessions, and you had 137 yards passing. So you’re at home against Oregon, and I’m supposed to believe that you’re a top pick. I don’t know,” Sharpe said with disappointment.

However, analysts like Joel Klatt aren’t putting it all on Drew Allar. They’re also putting some of the blame on the offensive scheme and the OC Andy Kotelnicki. Klatt believes that, unlike Alabama, where Ryan Grubb has maximized Ty Simpson’s strengths, Kotelnicki is not doing the same with Allar.

The Nittany Lions are all set to face the UCLA Bruins this Saturday, October 5, at the Rose Bowl. We need to wait to see how the Nittany Lions bounce back after a major setback.