Film Study - Allar Mechanics/Timing vs. FIU

LMTLION

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Mar 20, 2008
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Thank you for the video and analysis. He’s such a difficult player to figure out. The raw talent, arm strength, and competitive nature are there. His consistency is not. He cannot get out of his own head at times and it messes up his mechanics or slows down his mental processing.
 

Ram20

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Jul 29, 2013
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Thank you for the video and analysis. He’s such a difficult player to figure out. The raw talent, arm strength, and competitive nature are there. His consistency is not. He cannot get out of his own head at times and it messes up his mechanics or slows down his mental processing.
Feels at times that he has been "overcoached".
 

PSUFTG

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Feels at times that he has been "overcoached".
Probably under-coached - or, maybe better stated, poorly coached.
Which, oddly enough, may be pretty much the same thing you're saying.

Issues are not things that are easily transformed in a week or a month, I don't think.

All that said, the raw skills are rare enough that an NFL team probably pays a pretty high price and investment to add him to a roster next year.
 
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Connorpozlee

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Probably under-coached - or, maybe better stated, poorly coached.
Which, oddly enough, may be pretty much the same thing you're saying.

Issues are not things that are easily transformed in a week or a month, I don't think.

All that said, the raw skills are rare enough that an NFL team probably pays a pretty high price and investment to add him to a roster next year.
Maybe not weeks or months, but you’d hope over 4 years they could be transformed.
 

BCS PSU

Senior
Jun 2, 2001
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Thank you for the video and analysis. He’s such a difficult player to figure out. The raw talent, arm strength, and competitive nature are there. His consistency is not. He cannot get out of his own head at times and it messes up his mechanics or slows down his mental processing.
Unfortunately, we'll probably see the same type of inconsistency in every game. It's frustrating and disheartening, but this is basically who he is as a player. His lack of fundamentals in periods of almost every game, especially for a player of his experience, is ridiculous, and he probably isn't being coached to do many of the things that the video showed. A lot of his issues would be solved, especially with the short lay up passes, if he just didn't rush, which I believe causes a lot of his problems.
 
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BCS PSU

Senior
Jun 2, 2001
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Probably under-coached - or, maybe better stated, poorly coached.
Which, oddly enough, may be pretty much the same thing you're saying.

Issues are not things that are easily transformed in a week or a month, I don't think.

All that said, the raw skills are rare enough that an NFL team probably pays a pretty high price and investment to add him to a roster next year.
I can't believe that his PSU coaches are teaching him to throw deep balls off of his back foot and rush and throw flat passes like an infielder would throw a baseball to first base.
 

PSUFTG

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I can't believe that his PSU coaches are teaching him to throw deep balls off of his back foot and rush and throw flat passes like an infielder would throw a baseball to first base.
Of course not. But there is a lot more to it than that.
 

Ram20

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I don't agree with a few of Franklin's QB development trademarks, or better stated, you can't teach each QB the same. Trace was a guy that really played his best when the structure or system broke down, if you look at Franklin's playing days video, that's exactly who he was as a QB. Guys like Clifford, Hack, and Allar are simply not those type of players. It was very clear to me that Franklin(and his staff) did everything to get Clifford to read his 1st option, then take off. There was a lot of talk about making Clifford a running threat, getting his weight down, increasing his 40 time. I feel like thats been a big focus on Allar as well, lot of talk about him being a running threat, losing weight. I should say, I don't summarily disagree with the strategy of a QB that can threaten a defense with is legs, but it just isn't the game for guys like Allar k, he got Clifford there, but I'm not sure whether it helped him or hurt him reach his potential, he threw the ball better his Freshman/Sophomore years than later in his career. As Codutti points out in the video, I think Allar is more of a traditional big armed play action QB.....he gets a little nervous in the pocket like all of our QBs seem to. I think they have been trained to read a few progressions then look to tuck and run....I think they doubt themselves a bit. I think Allar is a nice player, same with Trace, Levis, Clifford, Pribula, I don't know what the issue is per se, but it's undeniable that since Franklin has been here, we have not gotten QB's that play at an elite level or get materially better as they age through the program.
 
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TheWizardofCamelot

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Oct 12, 2015
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IMO, Allar's issues start mentally, and then spiral to fundamentals if things aren't going great. He reminds me of a mid-handicap golfer. Tons of practice and effort into getting better but at any sign of distress during a round, the mental state leads to a return to bad habits in the swing. This doesn't necessarily mean, he can't play well. Some days the golfer/Allar get in a good rhythm and puts together a great day, but others can be disastrous.

I think opponents have recognized this - and it's now painfully obvious after how bad he played vs ND. But if you can get him out of a rhythm early, he likely won't be able to get back to stable, let alone good. But if he does find a groove early, watch out, because he could put on a clinic.

Somewhat noteworthy - but one of Franklin's best moments as a coach, IMO - when Allar was having a bad day at Minny late last season. Allar came off the field visibly frustrated (something he needs to control) and throwing a fit. Franklin spoke to him on the bench and seemed to calm him down and Allar was significantly better through the second half. And this + the fake punt, saved the season. Allar obviously reverted back to bad Allar in the semis, but I do think it's possible (just really hard) to shake him out of it.
 
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Georgia Peach

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Oct 28, 2021
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I can go to a golf range and stripe 7 irons all day. I go to the course and the impulse to "hit it hard" and "avoid the occasional shank" messes me up terribly. I've been playing golf for 40 years and now play 120 rounds per year and the same problems persist. The mind is the hardest thing to tame.
 

razpsu

Heisman
Jan 13, 2004
13,541
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Hey I’m the only one that can use the golf analogy!!
😂
You guys are on to it for sure.

drew should watch Aaron Rodgers now that he can’t run really well. Total command of the field last week telling players what they need to do and taking blame where he messed up.
Drew has been told he is so great that he waits to be patted on the helmet when he makes mistakes instead of constructive criticism that he may get upset about.
 

m.knox

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Aug 20, 2003
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I can go to a golf range and stripe 7 irons all day. I go to the course and the impulse to "hit it hard" and "avoid the occasional shank" messes me up terribly. I've been playing golf for 40 years and now play 120 rounds per year and the same problems persist. The mind is the hardest thing to tame.

Amen. The level of concentration needed over a 4 or 5 hour period is intense. Lose it for just three holes and you likely ruined your round. I've seen a golf pro several times over the past two decades, and I make the same mistakes now as I did then. Drill, drill, drill to eliminate, but it always falls back on the course.
 
Jun 26, 2025
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I don't agree with a few of Franklin's QB development trademarks, or better stated, you can't teach each QB the same. Trace was a guy that really played his best when the structure or system broke down, if you look at Franklin's playing days video, that's exactly who he was as a QB. Guys like Clifford, Hack, and Allar are simply not those type of players. It was very clear to me that Franklin(and his staff) did everything to get Clifford to read his 1st option, then take off. There was a lot of talk about making Clifford a running threat, getting his weight down, increasing his 40 time. I feel like thats been a big focus on Allar as well, lot of talk about him being a running threat, losing weight. I should say, I don't summarily disagree with the strategy of a QB that can threaten a defense with is legs, but it just isn't the game for guys like Allar k, he got Clifford there, but I'm not sure whether it helped him or hurt him reach his potential, he threw the ball better his Freshman/Sophomore years than later in his career. As Codutti points out in the video, I think Allar is more of a traditional big armed play action QB.....he gets a little nervous in the pocket like all of our QBs seem to. I think they have been trained to read a few progressions then look to tuck and run....I think they doubt themselves a bit. I think Allar is a nice player, same with Trace, Levis, Clifford, Pribula, I don't know what the issue is per se, but it's undeniable that since Franklin has been here, we have not gotten QB's that play at an elite level or get materially better as they age through the program.

Really? Trace McSorley and Sean Clifford were both drafted and made NFL Roosters their first year out of PSU. Those are the only other starting PSU QBs that CJF brought in. Beau Pribula and Will Levis saw significant action at PSU (and were brought in by CJF). Will Levis was the starting QB for the Tenn Titans until he had a season-ending injury last year and BP seems to be playing pretty well at Mizzou.... Not sure I agree with your assessment regarding CJF and QBs.
 
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Jun 26, 2025
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Makes me long for the days of film after film criticizing Clifford and longing for Allar who was riding the pine.

Or how the couch-seat coaches claimed Clifford couldn't play for most DII teams...... and then he was drafted and made an NFL Roster. LMAO. The way some of these people critique CJF and his players, you would think they're Bill Belichick or Nick Saban or something.... their armchair QB analysis comes off as very "arrogant without credentials" imho.
 

Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
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I’m just hoping Allar starts using that completely flat-footed throwing thing Hackenberg used to do. It did wonders for his accuracy!
 
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PSU87

All-Conference
Jun 8, 2001
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Hey I’m the only one that can use the golf analogy!!
😂
You guys are on to it for sure.

drew should watch Aaron Rodgers now that he can’t run really well. Total command of the field last week telling players what they need to do and taking blame where he messed up.
Drew has been told he is so great that he waits to be patted on the helmet when he makes mistakes instead of constructive criticism that he may get upset about.

I can go to a golf range and stripe 7 irons all day. I go to the course and the impulse to "hit it hard" and "avoid the occasional shank" messes me up terribly. I've been playing golf for 40 years and now play 120 rounds per year and the same problems persist. The mind is the hardest thing to tame.
Golf?
I thought we were talking about sports :cool:
 

LMTLION

All-Conference
Mar 20, 2008
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Really? Trace McSorley and Sean Clifford were both drafted and made NFL Roosters their first year out of PSU. Those are the only other starting PSU QBs that CJF brought in. Beau Pribula and Will Levis saw significant action at PSU (and were brought in by CJF). Will Levis was the starting QB for the Tenn Titans until he had a season-ending injury last year and BP seems to be playing pretty well at Mizzou.... Not sure I agree with your assessment regarding CJF and QBs.
I would say we’ve been more successful under Franklin than we were under Joe at that position.
 
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PSUFTG

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The first question that should be asked, IMO, before all the amateur psychoanalysis of #15, is: Who is coaching/developing him?
(And I am not referring to HCJF)

I think therein lies the key to the puzzle. From Day 1.
 

Moogy

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Jul 28, 2017
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Or how the couch-seat coaches claimed Clifford couldn't play for most DII teams...... and then he was drafted and made an NFL Roster. LMAO. The way some of these people critique CJF and his players, you would think they're Bill Belichick or Nick Saban or something.... their armchair QB analysis comes off as very "arrogant without credentials" imho.
What are your credentials for your constant criticism of refs and announcers?
 

VaDave4PSU

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2003
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Makes me long for the days of film after film criticizing Clifford and longing for Allar who was riding the pine.

Cliff's ceiling has been Allar's floor so far. Cliff had better WRs during his time here, but Allar has had the better running game to support him.
 

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
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I would suppose "healthy" Clifford (2019 and 2022) was a higher level than anything from Allar thus far (even more so when you value in Clifford's not insignificant ability as a run threat)
Cliff's ceiling has been Allar's floor so far. Cliff had better WRs during his time here, but Allar has had the better running game to support him.
 

PSUForever

All-Conference
Feb 17, 2007
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IMO, Allar's issues start mentally, and then spiral to fundamentals if things aren't going great. He reminds me of a mid-handicap golfer. Tons of practice and effort into getting better but at any sign of distress during a round, the mental state leads to a return to bad habits in the swing. This doesn't necessarily mean, he can't play well. Some days the golfer/Allar get in a good rhythm and puts together a great day, but others can be disastrous.

I think opponents have recognized this - and it's now painfully obvious after how bad he played vs ND. But if you can get him out of a rhythm early, he likely won't be able to get back to stable, let alone good. But if he does find a groove early, watch out, because he could put on a clinic.

Somewhat noteworthy - but one of Franklin's best moments as a coach, IMO - when Allar was having a bad day at Minny late last season. Allar came off the field visibly frustrated (something he needs to control) and throwing a fit. Franklin spoke to him on the bench and seemed to calm him down and Allar was significantly better through the second half. And this + the fake punt, saved the season. Allar obviously reverted back to bad Allar in the semis, but I do think it's possible (just really hard) to shake him out of it.
I agree it is mental with him and then the physical fundamentals break down. The critical question is why is this still happening? All this coaching including a personal coach, mentoring and training and still some basic fundamentals are not mastered. I assume they have psychological training as well. He doesn't have to play like Josh Allen in every game but he also can't fall apart and barely look like a D1 player in the most critical moments of our most important games.

I like the golf analogy. It's like the tour pro who can't make the 5 footer ever when the tournament is on the line. He makes 20 of 20 on the practice green but in winning time he can't deliver. Why? It is in his head. Mental toughness. Allar dosen't have it. You see it. He gets all emotional and down on himself.

We saw it vs ND last year. On ND's second to final drive when Durant picked up that hands to the face penalty and it looked like ND may be able to hold the ball and drive for the winning FG; they pan to Allar on the bench and he is pouting and looking emotionally distraught. Then he comes back in and we know what happened. He was not mentally ready for the moment.

My last thought is about Danny O'Brien. Is he the right guy for the job? If we don't see any real improvement from Allar this season you have to look at O'Brien's performance.
 

Ram20

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Jul 29, 2013
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Really? Trace McSorley and Sean Clifford were both drafted and made NFL Roosters their first year out of PSU. Those are the only other starting PSU QBs that CJF brought in. Beau Pribula and Will Levis saw significant action at PSU (and were brought in by CJF). Will Levis was the starting QB for the Tenn Titans until he had a season-ending injury last year and BP seems to be playing pretty well at Mizzou.... Not sure I agree with your assessment regarding CJF and QBs.
All good, very entitled to that opinion. Yes all of the aforementioned QBs, including Hack, made the NFL and hung around a bit. Can't argue on that. You start for 3 years at Penn state, win 9 or 10 games, you get a real chance in the league, probably not the case everywhere. That said, we have never developed elite college Qb talent(top 5 or 10 most productive at that position). Nobody would claim we haven't at DE for instance. Also, of concern to me, I think our QBs tend to regress as their careers move forward here. Allar bucked the trend last year, lets see if he does this year....not a great start. The prevailing question, is this version of Allar good enough to beat the OSu and Oregon's of the world, we'll find out soon enough.
 

VaDave4PSU

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2003
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I would suppose "healthy" Clifford (2019 and 2022) was a higher level than anything from Allar thus far (even more so when you value in Clifford's not insignificant ability as a run threat)

Clifford definitely had some better passing performances, but he also turned the ball over a lot. Still, perhaps I'm weighing things more as a team.

Am I hung up on a 5* ranking that's 4 years old now? Is Allar's risk aversion just enough that we think more is possible whereas with Clifford you just knew he'd come out gunslinging and eventually misfire us out of a game?