The world of Penn State football has been rocked by a double blow: the season-ending injury of star quarterback Drew Allar and the firing of head coach James Franklin. This news has left fans reeling and athletic director Pat Kraft visibly emotional.
In a recent media appearance, Kraft shared his heartfelt thoughts on Allar, his injury, and the impact he had on the Penn State community. He wasn't just talking about a player; he was speaking about someone he clearly cares deeply about.
"He is a hell of a young man," Kraft stated, his voice thick with emotion. "He puts up with a lot of crap, and I get it. NIL era. He’s still a kid. There’s not a negative word that comes up when I think of Drew. I apologize, but you’ve got to understand, these kids work so hard and they love Penn State so much, and I get to see them in a different way than you all do. I get to see them as, like I said, my children."
Allar arrived at Penn State as a highly touted five-star recruit in the Class of 2022. Hailing from Medina, Ohio, he was ranked 28th overall and the third-best quarterback in his recruiting class. Since the start of the 2023 season, Allar has been the starting quarterback, leading the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinal the previous season. He even chose to forgo the NFL to continue building on that success with Penn State.
But here's where it gets controversial... Allar's college career concluded with him playing in 45 games. During that time, he completed 63.2 percent of his passes, racking up 7,402 yards and 61 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions. That averages out to 164.5 yards per game, a number slightly affected by his limited role in 10 games during his freshman year. He also contributed 732 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
"It’s so much bigger than how many touchdowns — I get it," Kraft acknowledged. "I’m not trying to lie to y’all. We all know we want to win. He wants to win in the worst way. He’s working his hardest to do that, and to see it end that way, you never want that."
Allar's injury occurred late in the game against Northwestern. While attempting to orchestrate a comeback, he was tackled awkwardly, resulting in an ankle injury that ended his season. While the specific nature of the injury remains undisclosed, the impact was immediate, with James Franklin confirming in his post-game press conference that Allar would miss the rest of the season.
Ethan Grunkemeyer, the backup quarterback, stepped in to replace Allar and is expected to take over the starting role when Penn State faces the Iowa Hawkeyes next.
What do you think about the impact of Allar's injury on Penn State's season? Do you agree with Kraft's sentiments about the players? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
