In a development that’s shaking up the college football landscape, Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions’ standout quarterback, has reportedly reconsidered his decision to return for the 2025 season. After his dazzling display in Penn State’s 31-14 victory over Boise State, where he showcased elite arm talent and precision, rumors are swirling that Allar is now seriously weighing an early entry into the 2025 NFL draft.
Before the ball dropped and the East Coast celebrated 2025, football fans nationwide were focused on the Fiesta Bowl. Specifically, neutral fans witnessed what Penn State supporters had seen all season: Drew Allar’s mix of brilliance and growing pains.
They saw his exceptional arm strength, accuracy, and his ability to get in a rhythm, threading passes into tight windows and placing throws only where his receivers could catch them. Allar showed flashes of greatness during Penn State’s College Football Playoff victory over Boise State.
However, fans also observed him struggle under pressure, making poor decisions and missing throws. It was clear Allar had immense potential, but also room for growth.
In Penn State’s 31-14 win, Allar demonstrated two things: he has the talent to be the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft, but he made the right decision to announce his return for the 2025 season.
That announcement, though, left some uncertainty. A few weeks ago, news circulated that Allar intended to return, a sentiment he and coach James Franklin echoed. Yet, the language in Allar’s official statement was somewhat noncommittal.
Then, on New Year’s Eve, as Allar dominated Boise State early on, renowned draft expert Dane Brugler posted on social media: “Several NFL GMs believe Allar could enter the 2025 NFL draft with a strong playoff run. Teams are still scouting him heavily for the 2025 class.”
This wasn’t entirely shocking. The 2025 quarterback draft class lacks depth, with only a few top names like Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Many speculated that if Penn State made a national title run, and if Allar played a pivotal role, he might reconsider his decision.
That possibility came to mind on Tuesday night. Allar’s performance in Penn State’s first two drives of the CFP quarterfinal against Boise State was outstanding.
His first touchdown, a perfectly placed pass to Tyler Warren in the end zone, allowed Warren to toe-tap for the score. The second was a beautiful 50-yard deep ball to Omari Evans, just behind Boise’s defense.
Allar started the game 10 of 13 for 144 yards and two NFL-caliber touchdown throws. He caught the attention of scouts, leaving many wondering why he wasn’t entering the 2025 draft.
But after that hot start, Allar cooled off. He attempted 12 more passes, with nine falling incomplete. Some of this was due to play-calling, with deep shots targeting Boise’s weakened secondary, and there were a couple of drops. But Allar was at fault, too.
Two moments stood out. One was a deep pass to Evans in double coverage, where Evans narrowly avoided an interception after a push-off that could’ve been flagged. Another was an overthrown pass to a wide-open Warren, which would have given the Nittany Lions a big gain when they were up just 17-7.
During this stretch of incompletions, Penn State fans grew frustrated with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s lack of running plays, and that frustration was justified. Yet, Allar missed some open opportunities in the passing game as well.
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