From Todd Blackledge and Michael Robinson, a Window on Penn State's Drew Allar
Todd Blackledge and Michael Robinson, two of Penn State's most-recognized quarterbacks, had a conversation recently about the challenges and expectations of that very specific job. It was a timely chat, too, since both return to Beaver Stadium on Sept. 2 for the most anticipated Penn State quarterback debut in a decade.
Blackledge and Robinson will be part of the inaugural NBC Big Ten Saturday Night broadcast pitting old rivals Penn State and West Virginia in prime time at Beaver Stadium. In fact, Robinson was headed to State College this week to interview Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, the presumptive starter when the Lions and Mountaineers meet for the first time since 1992. Allar's first career start for the Lions has raised even higher expectations than that of Christian Hackenberg, who made his Penn State debut as a true freshman in 2013. So everyone wants to know: Is Allar ready?
Blackledge and Robinson certainly have the legacy chops to advise Allar, who in 2021 became the highest-rated quarterback recruit coach James Franklin has signed. Blackledge led Penn State to its first national championship in 1982 and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Robinson guided the Lions to the 2005 Big Ten title, when he was named the conference's offensive MVP and finished fifth on the Heisman list. On a recent NBC Sports conference call, the analysts shared some of the conversation they had about Allar and the weight he faces.
"First of all, the age that he is living in and playing in now is way different than it probably was when Michael played and definitely different from when I played, in terms of social media and just the fan connection to the programs and the depth charts and everything and the recruiting," Blackledge said. "That’s all so blown out and in front of everybody. And so the expectations on him are through the roof. And by all accounts, he seems like he’s got the right temperament. He’s got the right personality. He wants to be great. He wants to be coached. He’s got humility. And he’s got talent. He’s got major talent.
"But this is what Mike and I were talking about. It’s still a big step up from where he was last year to where he will be if he’s the starter on September 2nd in front of all of those people in a night game against a quality opponent like West Virginia."
"I do think the fact that a lot of people are saying, from an arm-talent standpoint, he’s probably the best or one of the best that has ever come out of the school, that’s a tremendous amount of pressure," Robinson said. "From what I’ve seen from the kid, being around the program in the offseason a little bit, lifting weights there and just seeing him around the team, he’s a leader. He’s doing a great job of handling practice, handling the workouts and handling everything that comes off the field with being a leader. And that’s going to serve him well."
As they did often as Penn State quarterbacks, both Blackledge and Robinson urged Allar to rely on the team's offensive strength: the run game. Sophomores Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, incentivizing Allar to throw judiciously. Though Robinson acknowledged that Allar will be in "big-time situations having to make big-time throws," the run game can help ease his transition.
"Lean on that run game," Robinson said. "A quality run game and a quality offensive line along with a tough-nosed defense will help him out. Now it’s about making the right decisions in the moment. And from all reports, he’s been making the right decisions in practice."
"The great thing for him is Penn State, better than they have in the last several years, has a proven ability to run the football," Blackledge added. "Their offensive line is better than they’ve been, and they’ve got some quality running backs. And that can be very, very helpful breaking a young quarterback in.
"And so he does not have to go out there and sling it around 40 times for them to be in a position to win. And he doesn’t have to make every critical play on third down. So I think just him playing within himself and leaning on what they can do well right now will help him grow."
Blackledge said that Allar has the talent to be great, "but I don’t think that’s going to happen overnight." Penn State's opening month features two major prime-time games (including the White Out against Iowa) and a road trip to Illinois, so Allar will get a fair look at duress to develop those starter's callouses. Like many others, Robinson is eager to watch it unfold.
"I just can’t wait to see him ... in game, in person making those decisions," Robinson said, "because those decisions are going to determine the success of this team this year."
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
