10 in 10: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting
With Penn State landing at #2 in the AP Preseason Top-25, many expect them to secure the Big 10 and be back in the College Football Playoff. If that is to transpire, Drew Allar will need to take a step forward and lead a talented supporting cast through first his conference rivals and then further afield. This is the final scouting report in my 10 in 10 preseason scouting series, so make sure you go back and check out the previous reports in the series.
No. 1- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Prospect Details
Name: Drew Allar
College: Penn State
Year: Senior
Measurables: 6’5, 238 pounds
Scheme Fit: Pro-Style with Spread Concepts
Background
Allar’s talent has always been clear. At Medina High School in Ohio, he became his varsity team’s starting quarterback as a mere sophomore. And by the end of his senior season, he was named Mr. Football of Ohio. In his final high school campaign, Allar threw for 4,444 yards and 48 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, and he also ran for 406 yards and nine scores. As recruiting outlets caught up to Allar’s film and rated him as high as five stars, teams like Penn State also took notice. Allar had offers from virtually every blue-blood program in the Midwest — including Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame — but Penn State offered a chance to play early and also had a proven track record under long-time head coach James Franklin. Allar was able to get his feet wet in 2022 in relief of Sean Clifford. Rated the top quarterback prospect in the country and the No. 3 overall prospect by 247Sports. His father played TE at Eastern Michigan.
Allar's sophomore numbers in 2023 were underwhelming, but he wasn’t helped by those around him. He was under pressure within 2.5 seconds on 21.3% of his dropbacks this year and stayed relatively mistake-free, completing 233-of-389 passes (59.9%) for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns and two interceptions.
While his performance in the final game of the season in 2024 was rough, he quieted many critics by quarterbacking the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals this past season. His 21 big-time throws were a top-20 mark in America, while his 2.1% turnover-worthy play rate was 21st. He showed off his rifle right arm far more as a junior, increasing his average depth of target by over a yard. In 2024, Allar achieved career-highs: 66.5% completion rate, 3,327 passing yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns (24 passing, 6 rushing). He is set to take the field in Week 1 as one of the top QB prospects in the 2026 NFL draft.
Detailed Scouting Report
Strengths
1. He takes care of the football at an elite rate; his 1.1% turnover-worthy play rate trailed only Bo Nix among FBS signal-callers in 2024. The final game should not detract from that overall fact.
2. Efficient footwork in the quick game and play action from shotgun. Little wasted movement when he has to deliver on time.
3. Has a live arm for sure, able to deliver it like a laser on slant routes and in-breakers. Not helped by his receivers one bit, who had one of the highest drop rates in the country.
4. Great command of the offense. Makes calls at the line and adjusts protections with a maturity beyond his years, even as a Sophomore.
5. Certainly has some playmaker to his game. Threw a quick-release jumping pass and a sidearm throw vs Oregon, and can reset his feet to deliver throws on the run, even if he does need to keep his head up more on his scrambles
6. Good feel of when to scramble, and while not an insane dual-threat athlete, he has enough to get out and get a 1st down in a pinch
Development Points
1. Despite having one of the strongest arms in the nation, Allar had the second-lowest deep pass attempt rate in all of college football (10.3%). His ADOT in 2024 was within the bottom third in the FBS.
2. Can be impatient and indecisive in the pocket. Times when he should take off and get a 1st down or allow plays to develop, particularly seams and fades. Just needs to make better decisions with a clean pocket
3. Backpedals into trouble in the pocket. Crucial 4th down play vs OSU. where he took 3 steps and another step back once his feet were set, allowing the edge rusher to knock the ball out. Has to improve his game awareness and clean up the drops.
4. Deep ball accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. Floats up contested catches, needs to step into his throws and is overly toesy, prone to popping up while passing deep
5. Footwork can be lazy. Drops too deep on his drops and throws of his back foot, leaning, taking all the power out of his throws. Overreacts to the rush at times.
6. Ball placement over the middle is spotty. Sees guys open and rushes the throws. Almost identical back-to-back examples vs Oregon of him missing on both a simple angle route and a seam throw by being a touch late and inaccurate with his placement.
Summary
Drew Allar definitely improved in 2024 but had his worst performance of the year in his final game vs Notre Dame which should leave him chomping at the bit to come back and prove he is worthy of a first round draft pick. Allar has a good arm with great command of the Penn State offense which took some strides under new OC Andy Kotelnicki, but there are still some limitations on film. His footwork can be inconsistent and it leads to some really bad misses to the outside and over the middle while his decision making at times leaves you scratching your head. However, Allar should have a better supporting cast and could make a real run at being a top QB in the 2026 class.
Player Comp: Joe Flacco
Team Fits: Chiefs, Rams, 49ers, Eagles
Grade: 6.6/9.0 (2nd-3rd round grade)