Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is ready for year two as the Nittany Lions starter. Will he be in the Heisman Trophy conversation? One analyst thinks it is a possibility. Today’s newsstand covers that and other top headlines about the program and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
On3 national college football columnist Jesse Simonton is busy ranking each Power Four conference’s top Heisman Trophy contenders. His list for the Big Ten includes second-year Nittany Lions starter and junior Drew Allar. The Ohio native checks in at No. 3 on Simonton’s top-five list behind two other passers: Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Ohio State’s Will Howard.
“Allar had a touchdown-to-INT ratio of 25-2 last season, but the rest of his statistics were nowhere near up to snuff to contend for a spot in NYC (just 6.7 yards per attempt, 59.9% completion),” Simonton writes. “But what if his 5-star traits are unlocked by new Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki? What if Allar becomes an even more dynamic version of Jalon Daniels — only on a Top 12-ish team with a chance to make the College Football Playoff?
“If the junior can help the Nittany Lions break through their glass ceiling as a program and beat Ohio State to get to the Big Ten Championship then he could become the first PSU quarterback invited to New York since Kerry Collins 30 years ago.”
New Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins checks in at No. 4, and Michigan running back Donovan Edwards rounds out the top five. Counting out teams new to the Big Ten this season, the conference hasn’t had a Heisman Trophy winner since Ohio State’s Troy Smith raised the coveted trophy in 2006.
Headlines of the day
Penn State’s Ja’Juan Seider pushing stars Singleton, Allen even harder in 2024: Ralph, PennLive
Trimmings: Catching up with the latest in Penn State recruiting: Fitz, BWI
The Penn State White Out Turns 20 This Year. An Abridged History: Wogenrich, SI
Penn State wrestling has nation’s No. 1 Class of 2024, MatScouts and InterMat say: Pickel, BWI
Former Penn State OT Andrew Nelson settles in new role with program: Hill, Daily Collegian
Key Penn State prospects to keep an eye on for a commitment: Snyder, BWI
College Football Rankings: Phil Steele Preseason Top 40: Smith, On3
Does Penn State have an ‘easy’ schedule in 2024? Here’s what Phil Steele, others, and the data have to say: Pickel, BWI
Quote of the day
“He’s a very driven young man. He has a ton of passion for wanting to be great. And he’s still young, without question, and has a bunch of great players around him. But he has a chance to be special. There’s no doubt about it. Those guys that can rush the quarterback and defend the run are a hot commodity in this game, both at this level and beyond.”
–PSU defensive coordinator Tom Allen on second-year Nittany Lion defensive end Jameial Lyons.
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