Trace McSorley Returns to Penn State: Can He Help Drew Allar Reach the Next Level?
Trace McSorley.
Nittany Lions Legend.
Number Nine.
9,000 yards. 77 touchdowns.
Rose Bowl appearance. Fiesta Bowl win.
Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
And now—Penn State’s Assistant Quarterbacks Coach.
Penn State Football head coach James Franklin is pulling out all the stops heading into the 2025 season, and bringing back one of the program’s most successful quarterbacks to mentor Drew Allar is a significant move.
Will McSorley’s addition, combined with Allar’s continued growth, provide Penn State’s third-year starter with the edge he needs to shine in pivotal moments?
Let’s examine Allar’s progress as he enters a crucial season.
Drew Allar’s 2024 Season by the Numbers
Before the 2024 season, I outlined the benchmarks Allar needed to hit to match the performances of recent Heisman-winning quarterbacks. Here’s how he measured up:
- Touchdowns needed: 33
- Touchdowns achieved: 31
- Completion rate needed: 70%
- Completion rate achieved: 66.5%
- Yards needed: 3,000 minimum
- Yards gained: 3,327
- Yards per attempt in 2023: 6.8
- Yards per attempt in 2024: 8.4
I predicted Allar would finish 2024 ranked in the top eight nationally among quarterbacks. He ended up 10th, but five of the quarterbacks ahead of him have since declared for the NFL Draft.
While Allar’s production dipped slightly late in the season—largely due to tougher competition and challenges within the wide receiver corps—he still delivered an impressive second year under Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
McSorley’s Mentorship & The Path to Greatness
Bringing McSorley into the fold as a mentor is a game-changer.
Having someone who not only understands the quarterback position but has also played it at a high level in both college and the NFL is an invaluable resource for Allar.
With a mostly new wide receiver group and Athletic Director Pat Kraft working to bring in a top target this spring, all the pieces are in place for Allar to take a major leap in 2025.
McSorley is a bonafide master of college football. A Penn State legend. Now, it’s time for the apprentice, Drew Allar, to carve out his own place in program history—and become a legend in his own right.
MORE Penn State Football News from NittanyCentral:
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- What Penn State Can Learn from Notre Dame Loss in College Football Playoff
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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