The weight of expectations sits heavily on Drew Allar’s shoulders as he enters his final collegiate season. After flirting with the NFL Draft following a breakout 2024 campaign, the Penn State quarterback made a choice that surprised many: he’s returning for one more shot at the ultimate prize.
But this isn’t just about football stats or draft projections. This is about a father’s wisdom, a son’s dreams, and the rare chance to finish what they started in Happy Valley.
Drew Allar’s Father and Football Pedigree
Father-son connections run deep in college football, and the Allar family exemplifies this tradition perfectly. Drew’s passion for the game and natural athletic ability relate directly to his father, Kevin, who played college football in the 1990s.
Kevin Allar suited up as a tight end at Eastern Michigan from 1992 to 1997. According to Sports Reference, he appeared in 22 total games, hauling 20 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown. That single score came during the 1996 season, when the Eagles struggled to a 3-8 record under Rick Rasnick.
While Drew has achieved far greater success than his father ever did on the field, he credits both parents with keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground. After completing 262 of his 394 passes for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions during the 2024 season, many expected the high-profile quarterback to declare for the NFL Draft.
However, Kevin’s guidance proved pivotal in Drew’s decision to return to State College for another year. “You’re never going to get these days back,” Kevin Allar explained to the Reading Eagle. “When you’re playing with your best friends and living with your best friends. You’re never going to get these opportunities again.”
Kevin’s experience with Eastern Michigan during the 1990s clearly shaped his perspective on college football. The insights, experiences, and opportunities available during these crucial years aren’t lost on either father or son.
Beyond his role as a father, Kevin serves as both mentor and confidant for Drew. This strong support network includes his mother, Dawn, and the entire Penn State athletics department, creating an environment where the young quarterback can thrive.
Drew won’t be making this championship run alone. He returns to Beaver Stadium alongside running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who also chose to bypass the 2025 NFL Draft for one more college season.
“While it was enticing for him to leave,” Kevin continued, “there were so many positives for him to come back. There was unfinished business in his mind.”
That unfinished business has positioned Penn State as a serious title contender. The Nittany Lions enter the 2025 season ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll and sit among the favorites to capture both the Big Ten championship and national title. Central to that success will be Allar, who earned recognition as No. 20 on PFSN’s 2025 top 100 college football players and ranks third among returning quarterbacks according to the PFSN QBi metric (83.5).
Standing beside him throughout this championship pursuit are his parents, Kevin and Dawn, who continue providing the steady foundation that has helped mold one of college football’s most promising quarterbacks into a leader ready for his biggest challenge yet.
