Urban Meyer pushes back at Drew Allar NFL Draft projection in 2026

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is already being talked about as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Allar revealed earlier this month that he is returning to school for the 2025 season, even though he was being discussed as a potential high draft pick for this coming year’s draft.

The Triple Option podcast recently discussed Allar’s future and what kind of pro quarterback he will be. Fox Sports analyst and former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer pushed back on Allar being projected as a first-round pick for the 2026 season.

“That’s too early to ordain that one,” Meyer said. “That’s too early to ordain a first-round draft pick. He has to [come back]. He’s not a first-rounder right now.”

Allar has the measurables NFL teams look for in a quarterback as he is 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. However, he hasn’t been the most consistent passer throughout his career. Thus far in the 2024 season, he has thrown for 3,021 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Allar has also rushed for 289 yards and six scores.

Allar and Penn State will face Boise State in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 31. The two teams will play in the Fiesta Bowl, with a spot in the Final 4 on the line.

James Franklin addresses Drew Allar returning to Penn State in 2025

One of the bigger quarterback dominoes to fall ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft and college football season was Penn State’s Drew Allar deciding to return to school. And it’s a move that head coach James Franklin is thoroughly excited about it.

While there are inevitable knock-on consequences, getting back a quarterback who appears to have blossomed in the last few months of the season for another year of college should be a boon for Penn State. Thusly, Franklin and Co. are excited to get more time with Allar and the chance to tap in to even more potential.

“Again, Drew has been phenomenal,” Franklin said. “Mom and Dad have been phenomenal. Had a ton of conversations. Had a ton of conversations. Obviously he’s doing a ton of really good things and he’s developing and he’s getting better and he’s playing great and he’s leading and I think there’s a lot of excitement because I think they believe and we believe there’s still a lot of room for growth and development.

“And we want to be a part of that and I think they trust us in that and obviously it’s been a ton of conversations with NFL GMs and scouts to be able to provide NFL reports and information to our players of where they’re at and what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are and how do we take that information, make a decision and then spend, once the season is over, time attacking those things that people consider weaknesses.”