Although new Penn State Football quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer would have still been in high school classes right now if he didn’t enroll early at Penn State in January, the former four-star quarterback from Ohio has been thrust into the QB3 role with the Nittany Lions after a long-term injury to redshirt freshman Jaxon Smolik that was announced last week.

Although the injury to Smolik was undisclosed, it was described as an injury where he would miss significant time, moving the new freshman quarterback up the pecking order for the Nittany Lions.

While QB3 may not seem like the most important position on the team, the first-first year player will be one snap away from being Penn State’s backup quarterback next season if an injury would be to occur for either returning starter Drew Allar or backup Beau Pribula.

It also will allow the young quarterback to take more snaps during practice this spring and summer, however, to boost his development ahead of what could be a position battle in 2025 if Allar declares early for the 2025 NFL draft after the season. So how has Grunkemeyer looked this spring?

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Reports from Practice

After practice last week, Penn State Football head coach James Franklin offered his first update on Grunkemeyer’s progress this spring, noting that Grunkemeyer “is really flashing and doing some nice things right now for a true freshman quarterback.”

Franklin continued that the young quarterback is showing flashes right now, noting that he is excited for what that can mean after he has had more time throughout the spring and summer to study the playbook and Kansas and Penn State tape.

On Tuesday during practice, the media was able to get more of a view of Grunkemeyer working through drills.

In a video captured by the Athletic’s Audrey Snyder, Grunkemeyer can be seen throwing in a drill.

 

Quick Look at QB Ethan Grunkemeyer tonight at practice pic.twitter.com/57FykD2NBM

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) April 2, 2024

In another video captured by the Daily Collegian’s Seth Engle, Grunkemeyer can be seen working through a running and diving drill.

With Jaxon Smolik injured for the spring, freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer has stepped up as Penn State’s QB3.

James Franklin said last week that Grunkemeyer is “really flashing.”

Franklin said he’s “excited” for what he could look like by summer after studying tape and installs pic.twitter.com/uvAOO4jnwH

— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) April 2, 2024

Penn State Football Quarterback Mechanics and Coaching

Penn State quarterbacks Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer share more than just the same quarterback room, both players also share the same quarterback coach, Brad Maendler, from Ohio.

Under Maendler, both players have been receiving training at Maendler’s QB Excelerate for the past few years, retooling both players mechanics and throwing motions.

The extra work with Allar in the offseason and ahead of enrolling at Penn State should help Grunkemeyer bridge the gap between the high school game and the  college game. In February, Maendler last shared a workout of both Allar and Grunkemeyer at the Penn State facility after two days training with Maendler ahead of spring ball.

Great two days of work with Penn State QB’s Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer. And some great hands from a loaded WR/TE room #WeAre #QBX🎯💪🌪 pic.twitter.com/zmUredMUnz

— Brad Maendler (@BradMaendler) February 10, 2024

While its still very early in his college career, things seem to be trending in the right direction for Grunkemeyer.

With Beau Pribula likely getting work this fall similar to how he was used as QB2 last season (potentially with even more special packages under Andy Kotelnicki’s offense), Grunkemeyer may have the opportunity this fall to see game action during Penn State’s nonconference schedule.

Depending on how the season goes for Drew Allar in 2024 and how his draft stock is at the end of the season, Grunkemeyer may be able to use the extra experience gained this season during a competition for Penn State’s starting quarterback position in 2025.

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