Podcast Summary: Scouting Drew Allar: How the Penn State QB Can Be a Top 10 Pick in 2026
Podcast Information:
- Title: The McShay Show
- Host/Author: The Ringer
- Episode: Scouting Drew Allar: How the Penn State QB Can Be a Top 10 Pick in 2026
- Release Date: June 9, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The McShay Show, NFL Draft and College Football Analyst Todd McShay teams up with renowned scout Mel Kiper Jr. to delve deep into the prospects of Drew Allar, the standout quarterback from Penn State University. The primary focus is to evaluate Allar's potential to ascend into the top 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Beyond the technical analysis, the hosts also interject personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a well-rounded perspective on both the player and the analysts themselves.
Personal Anecdotes and Host Interaction
Before diving into the scouting analysis, Todd and Mel share a brief personal story, highlighting the camaraderie and long-standing relationship between them. Todd recounts attending a graduation party in Derry, New Hampshire, celebrating Steve’s daughter, Amaya, which underscores the depth of their friendship spanning nearly three decades. This segment, while personal, serves to humanize the hosts and build a connection with the audience.
Todd McShay [04:08]: “I just want to share with the audience... it was a beautiful, beautiful thing.”
Mel briefly mentions a missed culinary experience at Buxton’s Pizza, emphasizing the importance of savoring local gems, which adds a lighthearted touch to the episode.
Introduction to Drew Allar's Profile
The core of the episode revolves around the detailed scouting report of Drew Allar. Todd introduces the segment by emphasizing the complexity and challenges of evaluating a quarterback of Allar's caliber.
Todd McShay [00:51]: “Scouting, it's a lot like pimping. It ain't easy, man.”
Physical Attributes and Combine Metrics
Drew Allar is portrayed as an imposing figure on the field, standing at 6'5" and weighing 238 pounds. While his official 40-yard dash time is estimated at 4.90 seconds based on high school combines, his build suggests significant strength and presence in the pocket.
Todd McShay [12:23]: “Allar, 6 5, 238 pounds, estimated 4.90 yard dash.”
Mel comments on Allar's physicality, noting his size compared to peers and his ability to carry the ball effectively despite not being exceptionally fast.
Mel Kiper Jr. [12:28]: “Bigger than a lot of the other quarterbacks we've been watching... he carries it pretty well.”
Performance Metrics and College Career Highlights
Drew Allar’s college statistics reveal a promising yet nuanced career. In 2023, as a full-time starter, he completed approximately 60% of his passes, throwing for 25 touchdowns against 2 interceptions, resulting in an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4.9 to 1 over the last two years.
Todd McShay [13:05]: “He completed just basically 60%. It was 59.9 of his throws, 25 touchdowns. Did I write that down? Maybe. I found my first two interceptions.”
Mel highlights Allar's remarkable achievement by comparing him to Tennessee's Hen and Hooker, who also threw over 25 touchdowns with minimal interceptions, a rarity in FBS quarterbacks.
Mel Kiper Jr. [13:16]: “He's the only FBS quarterbacks ever to throw 25 plus touchdowns and two or few interceptions in a season.”
Trait Evaluation: Mental Makeup, Accuracy, Arm Strength, Pocket Mobility
The hosts employ a grading system to evaluate Allar's key quarterback traits, rating each on a scale from 1 to 5, with lower numbers indicating stronger performance.
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Mental Makeup
- Todd's Score: 1.5
- Mel's Score: 2.5
Both analysts agree that Allar exhibits exceptional mental fortitude, handling pressure well and maintaining composure during high-stakes moments.
Todd McShay [14:32]: “Mental makeup one through five. He is exceptional.”
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Accuracy
- Todd's Score: 3
- Mel's Score: 3
While Allar demonstrates strong accuracy in ideal conditions, his performance falters when receivers run routes that move away from him. This inconsistency is attributed to a potential visualization issue, where he struggles to anticipate and adjust to dynamic play developments.
Todd McShay [15:13]: “Accuracy 2. I gave him a 3, and I got a lot to get into here.”
Mel Kiper Jr. [17:53]: “When his receivers are running away from him... he just doesn't have that feel or visualization to know where to put that ball.”
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Arm Strength
- Todd's Score: 1
- Mel's Score: 1.5
Allar possesses a powerful arm, capable of delivering precise long throws with significant velocity. His ability to dissect defenses with layered throws is particularly noteworthy.
Mel Kiper Jr. [17:53]: “He has a big arm... all of his throws have great energy on them.”
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Pocket Mobility
- Todd's Score: 4
- Mel's Score: 3
Allar is not exceptionally agile but exhibits sufficient mobility to extend plays and occasionally scramble for vital yards. His movement within the pocket is methodical, and while not elite, it is adequate for creating necessary space.
Mel Kiper Jr. [20:40]: “He's coordinated, but he's not athletic.”
Big Game Performances and Areas for Improvement
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Allar's performances in high-pressure games against major teams such as Oregon, SMU, Boise State, and Notre Dame. While he showcased grit and determination, certain aspects of his game under duress revealed vulnerabilities:
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Oregon Game: Demonstrated competitive grit, making crucial plays despite a loss. However, missed opportunities when under significant pressure.
Todd McShay [32:14]: “He makes huge strides and... has some competitive fight that I really liked.”
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SMU Game: Struggled with accuracy due to intense pressure, leading to missed simple throws. The offensive line's inability to protect him effectively was a highlighted issue.
Mel Kiper Jr. [33:25]: “He misses badly on an incoming intermediate throw.”
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Boise State Game: Inconsistent performance with incomplete passes, indicating challenges in timing and touch on throws.
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Notre Dame Playoff Game: Notable for a critical interception in the final seconds, which underscored his need for better game management and decision-making under pressure.
Mel Kiper Jr. [29:02]: “He throws an interception that basically like, gives the game away to Notre Dame.”
Comparisons to Current and Past NFL Quarterbacks
Allar is compared to Joe Flacco, particularly in his athleticism and pocket presence, albeit with some distinctions in mobility and agility. Additionally, Mel draws parallels between Allar and other prospects like Will Levis, emphasizing their differing strengths and developmental needs.
Mel Kiper Jr. [36:25]: “I see a guy that can be elite. Whether or not it comes together remains to be seen at this point.”
Todd McShay [36:33]: “Levis was a better athlete... both those guys have the arm and potential.”
Areas for Development
Both analysts agree that while Allar possesses many desirable traits, certain areas require refinement to elevate him to elite status:
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Footwork and Pocket Presence: Improving footwork can enhance his ability to throw accurately under pressure and manage the pocket more effectively.
Todd McShay [34:42]: “It's all footwork. And whether that's just, you know, being fired up for the game and never, you know, like, really settling in, I don't know.”
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Visualization and Anticipation: Enhancing his ability to anticipate receiver movements and adjust throws accordingly can mitigate inaccuracies when receivers move away.
Todd McShay [27:33]: “He just doesn't have that feel or visualization to know where to put that ball.”
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Agility Training: Although not necessary to make him a dynamic runner, increased agility can aid in his ability to extend plays and evade pressure.
Todd McShay [35:23]: “If I'm him in this off season, it is agility. Agility... I've got to have a little bit more juice when extending the pocket.”
Future Prospects and Draft Potential
Despite the areas needing improvement, both Todd and Mel express optimism regarding Allar's draft stock. His physical attributes, combined with his college performance metrics, position him as a strong contender for a top 10 NFL Draft pick. However, they caution against a "lazy evaluation," emphasizing the need for continued development and consistent performance in upcoming seasons.
Todd McShay [41:00]: “He is so damn close and he is so damn talented and, and I do legitimately think he has a chance to be a top 10 pick.”
Mel underscores the importance of Allar capitalizing on his opportunities and refining his skills to match his physical capabilities.
Mel Kiper Jr. [40:34]: “I hope Aller has a better year than Levis did... he can be elite.”
Conclusion
The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of Drew Allar's potential to emerge as a top NFL quarterback. While acknowledging his impressive arm strength, mental makeup, and physical stature, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. highlight critical areas for improvement, particularly in accuracy under pressure and pocket mobility. Their balanced evaluation suggests that with targeted development and consistent performance, Allar has the tools to ascend into the upper echelons of the NFL Draft in 2026.
Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of Allar's capabilities and the expectations surrounding his future career. The hosts' blend of technical scouting and personal insight offers a thorough perspective, making this episode a valuable resource for fans and analysts alike interested in the next generation of NFL talent.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Todd McShay [00:51]: “Scouting, it's a lot like pimping. It ain't easy, man.”
- Mel Kiper Jr. [13:16]: “He's the only FBS quarterbacks ever to throw 25 plus touchdowns and two or few interceptions in a season.”
- Todd McShay [14:32]: “Mental makeup one through five. He is exceptional.”
- Mel Kiper Jr. [17:53]: “When his receivers are running away from him... he just doesn't have that feel or visualization to know where to put that ball.”
- Todd McShay [41:00]: “He is so damn close and he is so damn talented and, and I do legitimately think he has a chance to be a top 10 pick.”
Supporting Resources:
For listeners interested in a deeper dive into Todd McShay's scouting reports and mock drafts, subscribing to The McShay Report is recommended. Additionally, viewers can access full first-round coverage through the provided YouTube link.
Join the Conversation:
Engage with Todd and Mel by subscribing to their respective channels on YouTube and Spotify, ensuring you stay updated with the latest analyses, mock drafts, and game-day reactions every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed in this summary reflect the discussions and viewpoints presented by Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. during the episode and are intended for informational purposes only.