James Franklin assesses Penn State's quarterback play early in competition

There is an assumption among many people that Drew Allar will be Penn State‘s starting quarterback. A former five-star recruit in the 2022 cycle, he backed up Sean Clifford last season. However, head coach James Franklin is happy to have a quarterback competition.

During Penn State’s 2023 Media Day, Franklin broke down the quarterback situation at Penn State.

“Yeah, they’ve been throwing it, handing it off,” James Franklin said sarcastically. “Yeah, yeah. I was just messing with you. I’m just messing.”

Right now, the primary focus has been on Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, both of whom are in their second season in Happy Valley.

“You know, Drew and Beau, obviously, in year two. They look like guys that are in year two in the same system, mentally. They look like guys [in] year two, physically. They’ve both gotten stronger, they’ve both gotten leaner, they’ve both gotten faster. They’ve gotten more confident with their reads, their accuracy, their decision making. You know, those types of things. So, they’ve been impressive. They really have.”

At the same time, James Franklin admitted that true freshman Jaxon Smolik has been the biggest surprise of the quarterback room so far.

“I think you just triggered a thought to a question earlier about a surprise. I’d say Smolik is kind of the surprise at Camp, so far. Specifically, in the quarterback room. He’s one of those guys that although he is still learning the nuances of the position and the nuances of the offense, in terms of in the meeting room. When asked questions, he’s not where Drew and Beau are in terms of being able to answer questions in a meeting room, but he’s just got a natural feel for the position on the field,” Franklin said.

“Some guys it’s almost like a point guard. You’ve just got a feel for depth and spacing on the field and how to find open receivers. He throws a really nice ball. So, he’s doing well. If we can continue to build on this, I think we’ll feel good about where he’s at.”

At the same time, Smolik is still a freshman and the focus appears to be on both Allar and Pribula.

“But, Beau and Drew, I think you guys will get a chance to see them obviously here at practices over the next couple of weeks, then to open practice we’ll get you something that you guys have asked for, which is a little bit more time getting to see the team and evaluate the roster. They look like guys that are year two, more experienced guys that are confident in how to execute and run the offense and I think both of them have the team’s respect.”

James Franklin then emphasized that he’s not ready to announce a starter yet and that he wants to continue to encourage a quarterback competition.

“In terms of decisions, we’re not announcing or making any decisions at this point, really at any position. It’s a competition and we want to create competition at every position as long as possible because I think it brings the best out in everyone. As you guys know, that’s really kind of how we’ve operated here for 10 years.”

James Franklin won’t rush a QB decision

During Big Ten Media Days, James Franklin emphasized how important this decision is going to be and said that he won’t rush a decision.

“Obviously the sooner the better. But we’re not going to rush any of these decisions at any of these positions. We grade everything and every practice, so all the data will be there. Obviously you’re going to trust your gut and your instincts on those things, as well, but you have the data to back it up. But I think at any of these positions, the sooner the better,” Franklin said.

“It’s probably magnified at the quarterback position because you don’t rotate and play the same type of way that you do at some other positions. But it’ll be, obviously, watching how they move the offense. The confidence that their teammates have in them and then obviously a lot of the data and analytics go into it as well to make sure that what your gut is telling you aligns with what the numbers say.”