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Penn State QB Drew Allar takes top spot in Sporting News' Big Ten quarterback rankings: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•05/09/25•

GregPickel

Penn State QB Drew Allar
Matthew O'Haren | Imagn Images

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar leads the Sporting News’ Big Ten quarterback rankings ahead of the 2025 season. That headlines today’s newsstand.

“Allar – a three-year starter – received some draft buzz while leading the Nittany Lions to the CFP semifinals,” Bill Bender writes. “He returned to school, and there should not be too many complaints. Allar has 49 TDs and 10 interceptions as a starter the last two seasons. Allar did have seven games with less than 200 yards passing and tight end Tyler Warren is gone – but Penn State added Troy’s DeVonte Ross and USC’s Kyron Hudson via the portal. Ross was a 1,000-yard receiver last year. The talent is there, and Allar will have a chance to get back at Oregon and Ohio State in the regular season.”

The rest of the list is a reminder of how many fresh faces are taking over under center across the conference. Eleven of the 18 projected first-team passers have one or no starts at their current school. Eight of them are transfers. After Allar, who will start his 30th game at Penn State in the opener opposite Nevada on Aug. 30, the league vets are Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis, who also has 29 at the moment, and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer with 22. Altmyer is No. 3 on Bender’s list, with Ohio State redshirt freshman Julian Sayin, who is the likely but not confirmed starter, checking in at No. 2.

Headlines of the day

Penn State assistant coach Torrence Brown is on the move: Fitz, BWI

Is Ohio State vs. Penn State football a rivalry? Here’s what Will Howard said: Krajisnik, Cleveland.com

Following Terry Wiggins, can Penn State land the next elite prospect out of Coatesville?: Snyder, BWI

Will the spring transfer portal survive? Coaches want it gone, players are cashing in: Nakos, On3

What will Penn State have to do to land 5-star Brandon Arrington? He talks that, plus a decision timeline, with On3: Pickel, BWI

Penn State football earns No. 1 spot in another post-spring top 25: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“The people and the place really caught my attention. Everyone loves football there. It is all about Penn State, and I loved that. Then, sitting down with Coach Franklin and learning more about who he is, that was great. He and the coaching staff there know how to develop players. When they get top players, they get them coached up and developed. That is what I am looking for.”

Five-star CB Brandon Arrington to On3 following his PSU official visit.

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