Penn State has made a decision on the QB2 battle, and just in time for its Week 1 clash against the visiting Nevada Wolfpack.
On Wednesday night inside Holuba Hall, head coach James Franklin revealed redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer has overtaken redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik for the backup role, at least for the time being.
“Grunk for Week 1,” Franklin said. “It’s not for the season, it’s for Week 1. He was a little more consistent from the beginning of the camp to the end.”
Franklin has been asked about the position battle multiple times this offseason, including on Monday when he said the staff had made a decision but hadn’t met with the two competitors yet.
During the media viewing session of Wednesday’s practice, Grunkemeyer was seen working with starter Drew Allar, while Smolik took reps with the scout team, indicating third-string status.
According to Allar, both players have impressed throughout camp, making strides in their ability to lead the offense.
“I think both of them have taken the next step in their development,” Allar said. “Obviously, everyone within the whole quarterback room, I think everybody’s taken the next step. And with those two specifically, they’ve done a great job of mastering the offense. I think they’re operating the offense at a really high level right now, and a better level than they were coming into camp.
Franklin said Monday the coaches were close to making a decision earlier in fall camp, but inconsistent play had them reconsidering their options, and they delayed the decision until the tail end of preseason practices.
Grunkemeyer, who’s now one play away from hearing his number called during game action, arrived on campus in 2023 as a four-star recruit and Elite 11 quarterback camp finalist. He’s been praised for his arm talent and works with quarterback trainer Brad Maendler, who also trains Allar and helped him rise to national prominence as a recruit.
“He’s a great person, great leader, great quarterback,” wide receiver Trebor Pena said. “He was just making plays when his name was called, processing, making right decisions, so I feel like that’s what went into it.”
This puts Grunkemeyer in the driver’s seat to start next year following Allar’s departure, though Franklin made it clear the situation is fluid. Smolik missed all of last season with a long-term injury, which gave Grunkemeyer the leg up for most of 2024. Smolik was a respected recruit in his own right, a three-star prospect out of Iowa who was also invited to the Elite 11.
While Smolik has been on campus an extra year, this marked his first healthy offseason with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to implement a new gameplan.
