Penn State quarterback Drew Allar press conference

On Tuesday, Penn State head coach James Franklin announced that Drew Allar would be the first quarterback to start during winter workouts for the Nittany Lions. While Allar won’t be handed the job, and there will be a competition with fellow second-year quarterback Beau Pribula, he is the presumed starter heading into the spring.

Check out his first full press conference as a Nittany Lion where he was given a solo opportunity to speak with the media after Penn State’s first winter workouts. Subscribe to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube so you don’t miss player interviews.

Allar reflects on first season at Penn State

During his press conference that started off the day, Franklin mentioned early and often that his team was searching for new leadership this winter after a slew of veterans left the team for their futures beyond Penn State. Naturally, Allar was asked about his leadership qualities and what it’s like being a second-year player and a quarterback in that environment.

Media members also asked what he’s planning to work on this offseason and what he wants to improve in his game from last season.

Press Conference Rundown

00:00 press conference start
00:02 What did Sean Clifford teach you on his way out the door?
00:18 Do you see yourself emerging as a leader?
00:50 What’s your mentality heading into winter workouts?
01:20 What do you see your role may be with the team as a leader?
02:55 Is it too early to have that leadership come from the Class of 2022?
02:38 What does it mean to you that people are putting your name in the Heisman conversation?
03:04 Is there something you’re specifically trying to work on in the weight room?
03:30 What’s the biggest change from being the backup to being the first one out at QB?
04:02 How much have you grown as a man in one year on campus?
04:45 Do you feel that you have a new level of confidence comparing yourself to the new arrivals?
05:20 How do you develop consistency with the receiver group?
06:00 Have you talked to new Penn State receiver coach Marques Hagans?
06:40 How do you garner respect from your teammates and become a leader?
07:11 How will you evaluate your own success in this winter and spring period?
08:02 How did your experience last year help you mature as a player and person?
08:46 What did you think you were good at last year, and how does that compare to what you think now?
09:47 How has that transition from freshman to being a veteran in the QB room been?
10:28 Leadership recap
11:10 How much did playing in games last season help with that transition?
12:10 What is going through your mind when you walk into the quarterback room without Clifford and Christian Veilleux?

Press conference continued

12:45 What does being more vocal mean to you?
13:16 Is there something that you can do away from the facility?
13:50 How have you developed physically since your time in high school?
14:50 Where do you think you are with pre-snap reads?
15:44 When did you realize you had a special talent in your arm strength, and where did it come from?
16:50 Was controlling your arm strength ever an issue?
17:45 Did you ever pitch, and how hard have you thrown a baseball?
17:40 Do you still put in work with quarterback coach Brad Maendler?
18:05 What makes him a good QB trainer?
18:59 What is the process of relearning how to throw like, and how hard is that?
20:00 What did you learn from Clifford that you want to pass down to younger QBs?
20:33 How do you keep all of these responsibilities in mind?
21:05 How are you and Kaden Saunders growing together?
21:43 Have you had a chance to throw with Malick McClain yet?
22:07 What are your takeaways from his game, and how does that size help you?
22:40 How has Beau Pribula helped push you?
22:59 What does a Drew Allar offense look like? What do you like to do?
23:31 Is there something that Pribula does that you can learn from?