Drew Allar will try to show he can be QB2 in the 2026 NFL Draft

Who’s next after Fernando Mendoza in the NFL Draft quarterback class of 2026? That’s a question both teams and draft analysts are trying to figure out during this week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. One of the emerging candidates for the second quarterback is Penn State’s Drew Allar.

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) – Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Could Drew Allar emerge as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Stranger things have happened.

With the latest news that Allar will throw here in Indianapolis during Saturday’s on-field workout session for quarterbacks, his star is rising already. Arm talent is arguably Allar’s biggest asset as a prospect, and showing off the prodigious strength and zip can only help Allar. When compared to competitors like Ty Simpson from Alabama or Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, Allar’s sheer size and athleticism are likely to shine during the Combine as well.

Why Allar?

The former five-star recruit definitely looks the part of the prototypical NFL pocket passer. A well-built 6-foot-5, Allar has a naturally strong arm that delivers throws with zip all over the field.

Allar isn’t some pocket stiff, however. He’s a decent athlete who can chew up yards on the ground with his long gait (302 rushing yards in 2024). One of the biggest feathers in his cap is his ability to avoid catastrophic mistakes. Allar once threw together over 300 straight passes without an interception.

That judicious trust of his considerable arm strength compares to a younger Matthew Stafford. Allar will attempt tight-window throws that others in this class can’t conceive of completing. Yet he’s smart enough to know when to move on to the next progression if he doesn’t like it.

He does have his advocates, too.

“NO ONE is talking about him…”

“The velocity he throws with, it looks like a BB when he throws the football…” @FBallGamePlan on PSU QB Drew Allar: pic.twitter.com/Ee6Cw6wyM3
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) February 16, 2026

Why not Allar?

Foremost, Allar is coming off the season-ending ankle injury. Even prior to the injury, his game had not shown any real forward progress. His erratic accuracy continued to be a growing problem. Downfield throws were an adventure, though to be fair to Allar, his receiving corps in 2025 did him few favors.

Much of what plagues Allar as a passer comes from inconsistent mechanics. In watching his film, Allar’s feet, arm angle and hip alignment all sorely lack consistency. Those are the same problems he had earlier in his Penn State career. Stagnation in skills is a big sin for NFL prospects, especially when they’re as highly-touted as a prospect as Allar was coming out of high school.

Beyond the scattershot passing, Allar really struggled to handle pressure. The phrase “deer in headlights” comes up often, and it unfortunately fits. There’s no easy fix for quarterbacks who can’t reliably handle pressure, unfortunately, beyond hoping that Allar will grow out of it with more experience and perhaps playing behind a better offensive line.

Just as Allar has his supporters, there are many who cannot buy into any ascension.

Drew Allar leaves me scratching my head sometimes pic.twitter.com/VChFy6tIzm
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 24, 2026

Will it happen?

It’s too early to say, but Allar would have to really wow NFL teams and scouts with his arm and also in the interview rooms to elevate himself up to being QB2 in this draft class. That door is open, though, because those same evaluators remain underwhelmed by Simpson, Nussmeier and the rest of the QB class after presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.