Drew Allar Scouting Report

Drew Allar has an NFL frame and NFL arm talent, and when he's playing at his best, he fits the mold of a franchise quarterback.

Draft Grade: Round 2 - Winning Starter

Strengths:

Prototype Frame/Tools: Allar’s overall size and frame fit the mold of a prototypical pocket-passing quarterback.

Arm Strength: Allar displays the arm strength to push the ball downfield with ease.

Velocity: Allar generates enough velocity to fit the ball into tight windows against zone coverage, allowing for completions in contested areas.

Playing Experience: By the time he enters the draft, Allar will have three years of starting experience, including reps in high-leverage situations.

Concerns:

Predetermined Throws/Decision Making: At times, Allar appears to force throws to receivers based on his pre-snap read, even when those receivers are not open.

Progression Work: Allar will occasionally lock onto a primary target rather than working through his progressions to identify the open man.

Streaky Thrower: Allar can be a streaky passer, with stretches of both consecutive completions and incompletions throughout a game.

Drew Allar Summary/Projection:

Drew Allar is a three-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions football program. Throughout his career at Penn State, Allar has consistently been regarded as one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the country. He possesses a big frame and an arm capable of generating significant velocity when needed. Allar’s best plays typically come when he is on time and in rhythm, delivering the football from the pocket.

Allar’s top reps begin with his pre-snap process and his ability to decipher defensive coverages. When confident in what he sees, he’s capable of quickly working through his progressions and delivering the ball to the open receiver. With a clean pocket, Allar demonstrates solid mechanics—from his footwork to his throwing motion—resulting in a quick release and efficient delivery.

From an arm talent standpoint, Allar has shown he can make every throw on the field: shallow, intermediate, and deep. He possesses the velocity to complete opposite-hash comebacks, deep digs over the middle, and vertical seam routes. He’s also a creative thrower, capable of altering arm angles and making off-platform throws when escaping the pocket. While he profiles as a traditional pocket passer, Allar has enough athleticism to evade pressure and extend plays outside the pocket. Overall, his best moments reveal a big-armed quarterback who can access all three levels of the field with accuracy.

That said, there are several areas where Allar can improve. First, he can be a streaky thrower in terms of accuracy—capable of completing five, six, or even seven passes in a row, then missing several consecutive throws that should be easy completions. His decision-making in key moments also needs refinement; there are instances where he forces passes into coverage, resulting in costly turnovers. Additionally, Allar must become more consistent in progressing through his reads. Too often, he appears to predetermine his throw before the snap, committing to a target even if the coverage takes away the opportunity. Rather than coming off that read and moving to his second or third option, he’ll attempt to force the ball into tight coverage.