Andy Kotelnicki shares where Drew Allar has improved during offseason

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar blossomed into one of the best arms in all of college football last season, as his 3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns led the Nittany Lions to their first ever College Football Playoff appearance. Penn State knocked off SMU and Boise State before falling to Notre Dame 27-24 in the Semifinals (Orange Bowl).

Heading into his third season as the starting quarterback at State College, Allar has improved immensely according to offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

“You know, he’s getting stronger,” Kotelnicki said. “He looks really lean. I teased him the other day and I said I could actually see his deltoids and traps a little bit. It’s good, but most things, of course I say that in jest but it’s true. He knows, going through spring football, he knows with going through all those reps and cut-ups what he wants to improve on and what he wants to do. He has a really good understanding about his capabilities and limitations and I don’t think a player like him has a ton of limitations.”

Kotelnicki states that Allar’s mobility has improved

Kotelnicki, who was poached from Kansas prior to the 2024 season, is heading into his second season as Penn State‘s offensive coordinator. In 2024, the Nittany Lions had the 66th ranked passing offense and the 17th ranked rushing offense. Their 430.2 yards per game ranked 26th in the country.

“Like a year ago, people were talking about his mobility,” Kotelnicki continued. “I think he’s proven that he can be mobile enough. He’s only improved there. That’s a specific thing to him, but from where he was in January and what were doing offensively and how he’s playing and gelling with the skill players, it’s just so effortless to go out there and talk about the plays and install things.”

Allar upped his rushing total from 210 yards to 302 yards in 2024, along with his rushing touchdowns (six).

The Medina, OH native was a tad underwhelming in Penn State‘s three College Football Playoff games, as his best performance came against Boise State in the Orange Bowl. In that win, Allar passed for just 171 yards and three touchdowns. He was held without a passing score in the other two games, along with failing to reach the 150-yard passing mark.

With its sights set on a second consecutive Playoff appearance, the Nittany Lions open the 2025 season at home against Nevada on August 30.