Penn State football’s QB situation isn’t too complicated at the top.
Drew Allar has been the unquestioned starter for two seasons and is coming back for one more run.
Beyond Allar, though, things are a little interesting.
Before spring practice, most assumed that Ethan Grunkemeyer would be Allar’s backup. After all, it was Grunkemeyer, not Jaxon Smolik, who was the team’s third-string QB as a true freshman last season, and it was Grunkemeyer who became QB2 when Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal the week before the College Football Playoff.
Now, with Smolik healed from the injury that cost him most of 2024, there’s a battle.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 212 pounds
Hometown: Olentangy, Ohio
Before Penn State: Grunkemeyer ended up being the only QB to commit and sign to Penn State’s 2024 Class.
At the time of his commitment, Grunkemeyer was the No. 37 quarterback nationally, the No. 20 player in Ohio and the No. 575 overall player according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.By the final 247 rankings in late January, Grunkemeyer was the No. 103 overall player.
He had a fantastic senior season, ending with 3,517 yards, 39 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Allen Trieu compared Grunkemeyer to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heineke.
“Very productive high school player,” Treiu wrote, “who has posted good numbers, completed a good percentage of his passes, and taken care of the ball. Throws with some snap and ball comes out of his hand with good spin and velocity. Solid athlete who can escape pressure and shows a sense for making plays with initial reads aren’t there. Can run with if it me needs to. Shows some anticipation and ability to throw (to) guys open.”
Last year: Like most true freshman, Grunkemeyer didn’t get a lot of action in Year 1. In fact, he didn’t play at all until the College Football Playoff, where he went 1-for-2 with an interception late in a blowout win over SMU.
Where he stands: Now healthy, Smolik had a great camp, which will put the pressure on Grunkemeyer. To be QB2, he will have to earn it, as will Smolik.
A quote by Grunkemeyer: “I think I’m ready,” he said, “because of the confidence that the coaches have in me and the confidence that I have in myself. Whenever my number is called, I’ll be comfortable and ready.”
A quote about Grunkemeyer: “I really haven’t had to help him get ready,” Allar said. “That’s the way he’s wired. He’s not externally motivated. He’s internally motivated by what he wants to accomplish in his career. I think he has a really bright future ahead of him. He can make every throw on the field; really strong arm, really accurate. I think he processes really well, especially for being a true freshman.” — Drew Allar
