The pre-draft spotlight is shining brightly on Drew Allar after an impressive pro day, but one storyline off the field is generating just as much buzz.
NFL analyst Albert Breer recently reignited a fascinating “what if” scenario involving Allar’s recruitment and how Quinn Ewers may have altered the quarterback future at Ohio State.
Drew Allar Chose Loyalty Over Opportunity
With so much said about Allar’s standout career at Penn State, it’s easy to forget how close he came to taking a very different path to playing for the conference-rival Ohio State Buckeyes.
Albert Breer took to Twitter after Allar wrapped up his Pro Day performance to share further details:
“The story of how Drew Allar didn’t wind up at Ohio State is complicated and involves Quinn Ewers, and Allar’s own loyalty to those who believed in him early. That said, hard not to wonder what would’ve happened had he played for Ryan Day …”
The story of how Drew Allar didn’t wind up at Ohio State is complicated—and involves Quinn Ewers, and Allar’s own loyalty to those who believed in him early.
That said, hard not to wonder what would’ve happened had he played for Ryan Day … https://t.co/C72hoKVgyg
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 19, 2026
It’s a layered situation, and one that could have dramatically reshaped not only Allar’s career, but the trajectory of two Big Ten powers.
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Coming out of high school, Allar was a rising star drawing late attention from Ohio State. The interest was real on both sides, but timing and trust mattered.
Instead of flipping to the Buckeyes, Allar stayed committed to Penn State, the program that prioritized him early and made him a centerpiece of their future. That decision says as much about his character as it does his football instincts.
In an era defined by decommitments and transfer portal movement, Allar’s four-year run in Happy Valley reinforced that his connection to Penn State was genuine. He didn’t just choose the Nittany Lions; he invested in them as much as they did in him.
So, where does Ewers come in?
Ewers’ high-profile recruitment and arrival at Ohio State created a ripple effect in the Buckeyes’ quarterback room. With a crowded depth chart and elite talent already in place, Ohio State’s pursuit of another top quarterback like Allar became more complicated.
Would Allar have had a clear path to early playing time under Ryan Day? That’s far from guaranteed.
Ohio State consistently boasts one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the country. For Allar, choosing that path could have meant sitting longer, battling through intense competition, or even reconsidering his future via the transfer portal.
In that sense, Ewers didn’t just impact Ohio State; he indirectly helped shape Allar’s decision to stay elsewhere.
The Alternate Reality for Penn State and Ohio State
It’s hard not to imagine how things might have unfolded differently.
At Ohio State, Allar would have been surrounded by elite talent and operated in a high-powered offensive system. That environment could have elevated his game even further, but only if he secured the starting role.
If he didn’t, the entire trajectory changes. Would he have stayed patient? Transferred? Developed the same way?
Meanwhile, Penn State would have had to make a major pivot at the most important position on the field. Without Allar, the Nittany Lions may have been forced to reshape their recruiting strategy or rely heavily on the transfer portal to stay competitive.
One decision, one quarterback, could have altered the balance of power in the Big Ten. Instead, Allar became the face of Penn State football.
He developed into one of the program’s standout quarterbacks, built a lasting connection with the fanbase, and positioned himself for the next step: the NFL. Penn State’s PFSN CFB Offensive Impact scores of 81.8 and 87.3 with Allar at the helm over the last two years prior to this one were amongst the best in college football.
And in a twist of fate, part of that journey circles back to Ewers.
Because without Ewers’ presence at Ohio State, the recruiting landscape might have shifted just enough to send Allar in a different direction.
Despite some ups and downs, Allar is still ranked as QB6 on PFSN’s consensus big board for the upcoming NFL Draft. It’s fair to wonder how different that trajectory might look had he chosen the Ohio State route out of high school.
Recruiting decisions often come down to relationships, timing, and opportunity. Yet, sometimes they hinge on the presence of another player.
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For Allar, staying loyal to Penn State defined his college career. For Ohio State, the addition of Ewers helped shape a different quarterback path entirely.
Now, as Allar looks toward his NFL future, it’s clear his story unfolded exactly the way it was supposed to, even if the “what if” will always linger.
