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Drew Allar injury update: Penn State QB undergoes surgery after season-ending broken ankle

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh10/16/25griffin_mcveigh
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Quarterback Drew Allar. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar underwent successful ankle surgery. Thamel says Allar is on track “for a full recovery” but an exact timeline for his return is not yet known. Either way, good news after the scary moment on Saturday.

“Sources: Penn State quarterback Drew Allar underwent successful surgery on Wednesday on his broken left ankle, which he injured against Northwestern on Saturday,” Thamel said via X. “He’s on track for a full recovery, as his timeline to return working out will be sometime in the upcoming months.”

Allar suffered the ankle injury late vs. Northwestern. Not too long after, in his postgame press conference, James Franklin announced the quarterback would be out for the entire season. Of course, Penn State would go on to lose the game as well, completing a crushing day for the program.

Before getting hurt, Allar threw for 137 yards and an interception, completing 13 of 20 passes. He added 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground. His season totals finish as such — 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions, and a completion percentage of 64.8%.

Unfortunately, Penn State quickly moves on into a completely different era. Ethan Grunkemeyer takes over as the starting quarterback, beginning vs. Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. Terry Smith is the interim head coach, as the Nittany Lions are set to look quite different.

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft reacts to Drew Allar injury

Monday turned into an emotional press conference for Penn State AD Pat Kraft. Mainly answering questions on the decision to fire Franklin, he was also asked about Allar’s injury. Nothing but positive words came from Kraft, talking about somebody whose time in Happy Valley is likely done.

“He is a hell of a young man,” Pat Kraft said. “He puts up with a lot of crap, and I get it. NIL era. He’s still a kid. There’s not a negative word that comes up when I think of Drew. I apologize, but you’ve got to understand, these kids work so hard and they love Penn State so much, and I get to see them in a different way than you all do. I get to see them as, like I said, my children.”

Allar came back after a successful 2024, leading Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Instead of going through the NFL Draft process, the goal was to take another step toward winning a national championship.