Where is Penn State quarterback Drew Allar's NFL Draft stock as October begins?

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar passed on the chance to leave the Lions early and possibly become a first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick after last season. Part of the reason for coming back was to try and take his team further than the College Football Playoff semifinal. The other was to cement his draft stock. But, a month into the season, things are trending in the wrong direction on both fronts.

“Name recognition, program legacy and his great physical tools will keep Allar in early-round conversations, but his tape isn’t consistent enough to earn him a starting QB label from NFL teams,” ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller writes. “I polled six scouts Saturday night, and all of them see him as a likely Round 3 option.”

That would make Allar a Day 2 pick. That is not horrible, of course. But, it would also be far from what was expected of him both as a five-star recruit and also during his final season in State College. There are moments when he looks like a Day 1 pick and moments when he appears unlikely to go before Day 3. The inconsistencies are as maddening for the player, progam, and its fan base. They are also that for pro evaluators.

“He’s still way too panicked in the pocket,” one NFC East scout told ESPN. “Keep it clean and simple, and he’ll carve you up, but any pressure, and his eyes go to the rush.”

Added a AFC West scout:

“To me, he looks like a player that needs upper-level quarterback development still. Not mechanically or athletically, but from a processing standpoint, he’s not seeing it fast enough.”

Allar is now falling out of most mock drafts. He has two months, plus the postseason, to change his outlook for the NFL Draft.

“He’s got tools, but as a player, I’m not fired up about him,” a NFL scouting director told The Athletic. “The pictures have to be clear. He’s kind of robotic with his decision-making.”

The rest of today’s newsstand is below.

Headlines of the day

Penn State’s James Franklin offers a blunt reaction to Drew Allar’s ill-advised OT throw: Flounders, PennLive

Four-star OL Kyler Kuhn: ‘I don’t think I will ever see another atmosphere quite like a Penn State White Out’: Snyder, BWI

James Franklin balances frustrations/positives post-Oregon: Bauer, BWI

Penn State’s James Franklin Responds to Fans’ Frustration With Oregon Loss: Vogt, SI

Penn State quote of the day

“On defense, they’re going to have their front four line up and disguise and move everyone behind them. We’re going to have to figure out the back end because it’s going to move. Their d-line is very good, very athletic, very physical. They do a great job and let the speed in the back end take over. We’re going to have our hands full. It’s probably, pound for pound, and athlete to athlete, and position-wise, the best team we’ve played. So, we’ll have to be ready to go.”

UCLA coach Tim Skipper on Penn State.