Which quarterback will emerge as QB3 in the 2026 NFL Draft. By the end of the NFL Combine, the answer could be a quarterback who threw 73 career touchdowns while at Penn State. We are talking about one Drew Allar.
With a prototypical build at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds along with elite arm strength, Allar entered the 2025 season at Penn State as a quarterback prospect with high potential. Commonly referred to as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, Allar struggled at the beginning of the season to live up to or even surpass expectations.
If performance alone didn’t drop his draft stock, a season-ending broken left ankle took the promising gunslinger off the radar when it comes to a weak quarterback class. Given that it’s a draft class that features Fernando Mendoza and then a tier two of QBs with questions, could Allar put himself back on the radar?
What they were saying prior to the 2025 season
As a player who did have the opportunity to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, Allar’s decision to return to Penn State was considered a smart move. As a quarterback with the size and raw arm talent, another season in college was seen as an opportunity to polish his skillset and his development as a leader.
In evaluating Allar prior to the season, NFL.Com’s Daniel Jeremiah highlighted Allar’s size and arm talent, which will be focal points in his pre-draft evaluation ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah wrote:
“Let's start with the obvious -- Allar has ideal size and arm strength. He has a big, sturdy frame and can generate outstanding velocity with very little effort. He's at his best on drive throws, especially on deep in-cutting routes. Most big-armed college quarterbacks tend to throw late, but Allar anticipates well and gets the ball out early. He quickly moves through his progression, working the full field and often finding his third option.”
Jeremiah went on to point out a lack of quickness, but stated an admiration of his competitive nature, which is an attribute that will stand out at the NFL Combine and in his interview with teams.
What was learned during the 2025 season
The competitive nature and work ethic remained a trait for Allar, but the production wasn’t there. As the entire Penn State team struggled to start the 2025 college football season, so did Allar which set off a growing frustration for the entire offense.
In just 6 games started prior to the season-ending injury, Allar threw for 1,100 yards, 8 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. As a QB noted for poor foot work, a lack of pocket mobility and a player who fails to rise in the big game, Allar will be seen as more of a project at the NFL level. But a project with the physical tools and arm talent to morph into a solid starter if he commits to the development.
The big question entering the NFL Combine is can Allar show he is full healthy. If he does, can he showcase the attributes that had him positioned as a first-round prospect entering the 2025 college football season. If he does, he has everything to gain in this draft. With teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers surveying QB talent, Allar could land himself in a situation where he will have the right mentorship around him to grow and develop within his talent range or even above it.