Penn State quarterback Drew Allar once envisioned himself playing in Ohio Stadium when he used to go to Ohio State games as a kid. He'll do that Saturday afternoon, but while leading Penn State's offense.
I’ve been helping out with the Medina High School football team for much of the last decade, so I’ve known Drew Allar and his family for years. With that in mind, I wanted to take an in-depth look at how Allar, a longtime Ohio State fan who went to Buckeye games throughout his childhood, became Penn State’s starting quarterback.On Saturday, he will get that opportunity, but not while donning the scarlet and gray like he once thought he could throughout his childhood.
“It's just a great opportunity to go back home. ... I did grow up going to Ohio State games, like a lot of us did in Ohio.”While he didn't become a full-time quarterback until his freshman year of high school, Allar took over as Medina's starting quarterback midway through his sophomore season, a year in which he threw for 1,802 yards and 23 touchdowns. As a junior, Allar passed for 2,962 yards and 26 touchdowns and led the Bees to playoff wins over St. Edward and St.
“I still keep in touch with all my coaches even if they're not coaching anymore at Medina because they might have moved on or got a new job. I still try and keep in touch with all of them because they're a big part of the reason I'm here.”Less than a month after receiving that offer from Penn State, Allar had 13 additional offers, including from 12 Power Five schools. But his initial love for the Nittany Lions continued, and he committed to Penn State on March 8, 2021.
In a full-circle moment given the fact that Ewers transferred to Texas after just one season in Columbus, Penn State offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Yurcich – who spent one season as Ohio State's pass-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019 – began recruiting Allar when he was Texas' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Euclid, Ohio native called Laird to check in on the then-three-star prospect.
Pennsylvania High School Product Kyle McCord, Ohio Native Drew Allar on Opposite Sides in Ohio State vs. Penn State
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