Drew Allar is in the middle of an important offseason before a possibly career-defining season. He aims to lead Penn State to a College Football Playoff and Big Ten title in 2024. The groundwork for this is being laid in spring camp.
Allar spent 15 minutes talking to reporters over Zoom on Wednesday. He talked about various topics including new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, wide receiver Julian Fleming, and early enrollee quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. He also discussed his current mental and physical state as spring camp comes to a close next week with the Blue-White game.
Here are the main points from Allar’s interview with the media.
On the introduction of Kotelnicki’s offensive plan…
“I feel very comfortable right now. The main thing is that we are practicing the same plays we've been doing all spring, but in different formations, shifts, and motions. Everyone is learning the concepts and not just one part. Hopefully, by the end of spring and heading into fall camp, all the receivers will be able to play at all positions, not just one or two. They can play various positions based on the personnel we have. I think we are doing well offensively.
“… Coach K focuses a lot on creating space for us on offense, getting us into open space and one-on-one situations to showcase our skills as ball-carriers and pass-catchers. He does a great job of providing us with opportunities to make plays in space during practice.”
On his thoughts about Fleming, who joined from Ohio State in January…
“Julian and I have a great relationship. We have lockers across from each other, so we spend a lot of time together. Even on our days off, we are always together. Julian is an excellent receiver. He brings a certain toughness and mentality to the receiver room, always being consistent and doing his job, whether it involves catching passes or blocking for screens or running backs.
“Julian is very professional. He has a strong work ethic and good habits off the field. He always puts in extra work and brings other receivers along to practice catching. After practice, he often asks me to run routes with him to work on things he wants to improve. He has been really good in that sense, and I enjoy being around him.”
On WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, whose role decreased towards the end of 2023…
“KeAndre has been consistently good throughout the spring. He is making routine plays and obviously has a lot of talent. He also makes some impressive plays. He is one of the better players in angle tackle drills, evading defenders in one-on-ones and open space. The more we can get the ball to him on the outside and allow him to demonstrate his skills, the better for the offense. He has been very steady this spring. His leadership has increased, becoming more vocal and leading by example for the younger receivers in the room.
On Grunkemeyer, who might become the team’s third quarterback while Jaxon Smolik is injured…
“He has achieved many positive things. Right now, he is learning quickly. He is doing a great job of managing everything and being ready for anything, and he is asking excellent questions in our quarterback meetings. It's clear that he is going through a transition. He should still be in high school, but he enrolled early. However, he is doing well as a mid-year enrollee at quarterback. He is delivering the ball on time, and he is learning from the repetitions, especially when he makes a mistake. He now understands the difference between college defenses and high school defenses. It has been really nice to see the natural progression from practice No. 1 to practice No. 9. He certainly has a promising future ahead of him.”
On his personal progress and a change in perspective from last year…
“Personally, I have discussed this with (quasi-quarterbacks coach) Danny (O'Brien) going into the spring. I feel that I perform at my best when I am relaxed, free, confident, and just enjoying myself out there. I believe I have done a much better job with that. I have allowed my more competitive side to emerge this spring. I am communicating more as a vocal leader to the offense and even to the defense. I play my best when I am having a lot of fun and not overthinking, just going out there and playing freely.”
