TIM WEIGHT/For The Express. Quarterback Drew Allar poses for the camera at Media Day.

UNIVERSITY PARK – Drew Allar is trying not to get ahead of himself.

Penn State’s presumed starting quarterback deflected questions during the Nittany Lions’ Media Day on Sunday at Beaver Stadium on whether he’s approaching the season as if he’ll be the No. 1 guy.

“I’m not worried about that stuff,” Allar said. “Our goal as a quarterback room is being as efficient as we can and help each other out. Obviously, there’s competition at every position. No position is locked down, and that’s up to the coaches.”

James Franklin typically waits until a few days before the season opener – in this case, Sept. 2 vs. West Virginia (7:30 p.m.) – before making it official.

Franklin said Sunday that Allar and redshirt freshman Beau Pribula, who was on the team last year but saw no action, “both look like guys in year two — mentally and physically. Both have gotten stronger, leaner and faster and are more confident in their reads, accuracy and decision making. They’ve been impressive.”

However, it’s practically a foregone conclusion that Allar will start after he played in 10 of the Lions’ 13 games in 2022, completing 35-of-60 passes for 344 yards, including four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

His best game may have been his first game when he entered the opener at Purdue after incumbent Sean Clifford suffered an injury and left temporarily. Allar completed 2-of-4 passes for 26 yards (and had a big drop) while showing poise and arm strength.

Allar, the highest-rated quarterback Franklin has recruited, said what he learned most last season was patience.

“Don’t force anything,” he said. “Let the game flow to you.”

Allar and Pribula are tight, both having enrolled in January of 2022.

“It was good for both of us to come in with another quarterback,” Allar said. “We were able to learn from each other and become closer — especially as we’re older guys now.”

Allar, an Ohio native, is just 19 years old. Pribula is 20.

Pribula, a York product, said he realized the torch had been passed when Clifford wasn’t present for winter workouts.

“That’s when it set in,” Pribula said. “Ever since then, Drew and I have stepped into leadership roles, and it’s been a smooth transition since.”

Allar said he recognizes the number of more experienced players around him so he hasn’t been overly vocal.

“We have great leadership on the offense,” he said. “I just try to pick my spots.”

Both said they learned much from Clifford, especially in reading defenses.

“We see the accolades he made and now what he’s doing with the Green Bay Packers,” Allar said. “Being able to learn a guy like that — why he checked (out of plays), he helped the whole offense from a general football IQ.”

Allar and Pribula helped organize the team’s offseason passing and 7-on-7 drills with other position groups.

“Both have the team’s respect,” Franklin said.

While PSU radio analyst (and former Steeler great) Jack Ham has likened the 6-foot-5, 243-pound Allar to Ben Roethlisberger physically, Franklin has said he hopes to have some specific packages for Pribula, who is smaller (6-2, 206) and a running threat.

“Anything I can do to help the team, I’m ready to do it,” Pribula said.  

The third-teamer is even younger, but true freshman Jaxon Smolik, a 6-1, 205-pounder from Iowa, has already caught the coaching staff’s eye.

Franklin called him one of the “surprises of camp.”

 “He’s still learning the nuances of the offense, but he’s got a natural feel for the position,” Franklin said, complimenting Smolik’s field vision. “He throws a really nice ball. If he continues to build on that, we’ll feel good.”

In the meantime, the three will compete through several scrimmages.

“Competition brings out the best in everyone,” Franklin said.

The Lions are rated in the top 10 of every preseason poll and have a chance to challenge for their first berth in the College Football Playoff under Franklin.

“We have a lot of humble confidence,” Pribula said.

With a defense that is regarded among the nation’s best, a solid offensive line and a stable full of talented skill players, the Lions seemingly have everything but a proven quarterback.

When he’s named the starter isn’t as important as Drew Allar being as good as advertised, and if that happens, the 2023 season could be special.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.