Penn State quarterback Drew Allar enters his second full season as a starter in a year where the expectations are high for the Nittany Lions. Who are one of the nation’s top programs that could benefit from the Big Ten getting rid of divisions and the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams in a major way.
Allar had a solid first season under center in Happy Valley that he’ll look to build on. And head coach James Franklin recently spoke on how he’s doing just that this offseason by building chemistry with his receivers and familiarity with a new offense.
“I just think we’re in a better place from an organizational standpoint in terms of the things that the coaches can do, and Chuck Losey, what he can do in terms of planning and the big picture, make sure the throwing is a part of that,” Franklin said. “That the coaches are doing a good job with the NCAA rules that allow us to work with the guys that, now includes a ball. I think those things are important.”
There are always periods of the summer when coaches aren’t allowed to coach players in on-field football activities and players aren’t allowed to use footballs in organized team settings. A rule that has recently seen some changes and that Penn State’s players have worked around by taking matters into their own hands. With quarterbacks like Allar often times coordinating their own throwing sessions with their pass catches in the offseason.
“And then obviously the players doing it on their own as well, I think that’s been really good. I guess an example of what I’m saying is the players may have a seven on seven scheduled, but maybe that wasn’t coordinated with a run that we had that day, and the run was brutal. And they don’t really feel like going and doing and seven on seven after just running the way they did,” Franklin explaiend. “So kind of making sure all the pieces in the puzzle fit together so that all these areas can be developed and part of the plan.”
It sounds like Penn State’s players are taking care of their bodies and preparation for the season this summer. As Allar and the offense continue to learn each other with new additions and a new offensive scheme from coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
“There’s ways to do that. I mean, whether it’s low red zone work where you can limit the running, or top of the routes, and things like that. So I think it’s been really good, obviously we still got a ton more work but the feedback from the players as well as the staff is really good,” Franklin said. “Drew was in my office this morning having a conversation about some of those things and how we think we can make them better.”
Fans will be able to see the new look Nittany Lion offense and a potentially improved Allar in Week 1 when Penn State faces off against West Virginia once again to open the season on August 31.
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