The Penn State Nittany Lions won’t have to worry about their quarterback position next year, with two-year starter Drew Allar returning for one final season. However, what does the depth chart look like behind him, and who is the potential heir apparent?
What Does the Penn State QB Room Look Like Ahead of the 2025 College Football Season?
Drew Allar (True Junior)
Three years, back-to-back state regional final appearances, and numerous school and county records — career passing yards (9,103), career passing TDs (98), season passing yards (4,444), season passing TDs (48), passing yards in a game (525), and passing TDs in a game (five) — earned Allar recognition as one of the best QBs in the 2022 class.
Allar came off the bench in nine games as a true freshman, completing 35 of 60 passes for 344 yards and four TDs while also adding 52 yards and a score on the ground. But 2023 was his year. At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, with all the tools a QB coach could dream of, expectations were high for Allar in Happy Valley.
The Ohio native responded with an FBS record of 311 passing attempts without an INT, a 10-2 regular season, and a Peach Bowl berth. Penn State’s losses came against Big Ten bluebloods Ohio State and Michigan, highlighting the program’s inability to finish atop the conference.
All Aller did to follow up that performance was complete 67.4% of his passes for 3,192 yards, 24 TDs, and seven INTs while leading the Nittany Lions to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Win or lose, he’ll be back for one last dance in 2025, aiming to improve his NFL Draft stock.
Ethan Grunkemeyer (True Freshman)
With Beau Pribula transferring to the Missouri Tigers, Ethan Grunkemeyer is the most experienced backup on the roster … with two pass attempts, one completion for nine yards, and an interception.
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An Under Armour All-America Game invitee and Elite 11 finalist, Grunkemeyer burst onto the scene with a senior campaign for the ages: 3,517 yards and 39 TDs, both Olentangy High School records. The Lewis Center, Ohio, native also set the mark for career passing yards (8,401) and passing TDs (80).
Jack Lambert (Redshirt Freshman)
Jack Lambert’s parents and uncle attended Penn State, so it’s no surprise he landed in Happy Valley. As a senior, he led North Carolina’s Topsail High School to its first 4A state playoff berth while also lettering in lacrosse and finishing his tenure with a 4.26 GPA.
While Lambert has yet to throw a pass for the Nittany Lions, he was the coaching staff’s Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Week twice this season (vs. Delaware and Rutgers).
Jaxon Smolik (Redshirt Freshman)
Jaxon Smolik may be the “smallest” QB on the roster, standing 6’1″ and 201 pounds, but he comes equipped with some impressive arm angles, largely thanks to his time as a first baseman and catcher at Dowling Catholic High school in Iowa.
He led the school to three straight playoff appearances but tapped out at 1,967 yards and 19 TDs as a senior.
Bekkem Kritza (Incoming Freshman)
At an athletic 6’5″ and 195 pounds (also played basketball in high school), 2024 early signee Bekkem Kritza could surpass both Smolik and Lambert on the depth chart. He held offers from Colorado, Miami, and Texas A&M before committing to the Nittany Lions.
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Kritza played for four different high schools, none of which were in his hometown of Chandler, Ariz. His career began at Boulder Fairview (Colo.) before he moved to Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.), Miami Central (Fla.), and finally Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.).
In just six games as a senior, Kritza generated 885 yards and 14 TDs and helped lead the school to a state semifinal appearance. Across his first three seasons, Kritza accumulated 5,206 yards, 45 TDs, and just 13 INTs.
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