Penn State QB Drew Allar Named Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist

Penn State’s Drew Allar has been included on a narrowed list for a premier national award. Allar was one of 16 players selected as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, which annually recognizes the nation’s top quarterback.

Allar joins Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Ohio State’s Will Howard and Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke as one of four Big Ten quarterbacks listed.

In his second season as a starter, Allar has improved in almost every aspect. Through eight games, he’s thrown for 2,0006 yards and scored a total of 16 touchdowns while turning the ball over just five times.

Allar’s 70.3 completion percentage is a career-high by a wide margin and his 165.3 quarterback rating ranks fourth in the Big Ten. His 3.7 yards-per-carry average is also up almost a full yard compared to last season.

“I think Drew looks consistently comfortable and in control in games,” James Franklin said on Monday. “I think probably the biggest thing for him that I’ve noticed is his mobility. I think it’s been a huge factor for him and for our offense, especially vertical scrambles up in the pocket, stepping up and climbing the pocket has been big.”