Penn State has been named by many as the team of destiny in 2025. Whether it’s college football analysts, insiders or fans, many people are jumping on the bandwagon.ย
There are still plenty of doubters, wanting to see Penn State beat Ohio State or another top 5 or top 10 team before proclaiming the PSU as a true national title contender.ย
It starts and ends with the 21-year-old quarterback guiding in his senior season.ย
Last week, CBS Sports college football insider Josh Pate dubbed Drew Allar as his No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten.
Pate ranked his top 10 Big Ten QBs on his College Football Show and received plenty of pushback on Twitter regarding Allarโs ranking.
One tweeter asked Pate why Allar is No. 1: โBecause I expect him to be the best QB in the league,โ Pate said.
Pretty self-explanatory given the ranking but Pate doubled down on his belief in Allar.
Ohio State five-star sophomore Julian Sayin transferred from Alabama in January 2024 and is regarded by Pate as the second-best quarterback.ย
Michigan five-star freshman Bryce Underwood was placed No. 8, and UCLA transfer QB Nico Iamaleava closes out the top 10.
Pateโs Top 10:
- Drew Allar – Penn State
- Julian Sayin – Ohio State
- Dante Moore – Oregon
- Demon Williams – Washington
- Luke Altmyer – Illinois
- Dylan Raiola – Nebraska
- Jayden Maiava – USC
- Bryce Underwood – Michigan
- Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
- Nico Iamaleava – UCLA
Allar completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2024. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder also ran for a career-best 302 yards and six TDs.
Allar led the Big Ten in touchdown passes (25) as a sophomore in 2023 with only two picks. Allar returns to Penn State despite the opportunity to go pro and potentially be a first-round pick in what was regarded as a weak 2025 QB class.
Allar will be relied on in a second season with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to lead Penn State to a national championship, and ultimately be a high pick in the NFL.
