Drew Allar is a professional quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, selected with the No. 76 overall pick (Round 3) of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Penn State. He wears No. 16, signed a four-year rookie contract, and is currently competing for reps in training camp behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph under head coach Mike McCarthy.
| Full Name | Drew Patrick Allar |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Current Team | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Jersey Number | 16 |
| NFL Draft | 2026, Round 3, Pick 76 (Pittsburgh Steelers) |
| College | Penn State (2022–2025) |
| Height / Weight | 6’5″ / 235 lbs |
| Hometown | Medina, Ohio |
| High School | Medina High School |
| Birth | Son of Kevin and Dawn Allar; father Kevin played tight end at Eastern Michigan |
Table of Contents
Who Is Drew Allar?
Drew Allar is a rookie NFL quarterback who spent four seasons (2022–2025) as the starting signal-caller at Penn State before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in April 2026. A five-star recruit out of Medina, Ohio, Allar arrived at Penn State as one of the most hyped quarterback prospects in the country and left as one of the most statistically productive passers in program history — before making the jump to the pros this spring.
At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, Allar has the size and arm strength NFL scouts covet. His college career was defined by efficiency and ball security more than gaudy volume, and that profile is now being tested against NFL-level competition in Pittsburgh.
Draft Day: How the Steelers Landed Drew Allar
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Allar with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a homecoming moment made extra memorable by the fact that his selection was announced on stage by former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. and his son, Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — Allar’s former Penn State teammate.
Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, who had scouted Allar since his early high school years while coaching in Ohio, spoke to the pick’s long runway: he described Allar as having a high ceiling and said the team believes he hasn’t come close to reaching his potential yet.
Allar landed in a quarterback room that included veteran Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, with second-year passer Will Howard also in the mix — giving Pittsburgh one of the more talked-about QB rooms in the league heading into 2026.
Shortly after the draft, the Steelers signed Allar to a four-year rookie contract.
Steelers Rookie Season: Training Camp Update (August 2026)
As of August 2026, Allar is working through his first NFL training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. A few storylines are shaping his rookie year:
- Aaron Rodgers’ final season. Rodgers has confirmed 2026 will be his last in the NFL, and he’s taken on a mentorship role with Allar in the QB room, splitting practice reps with Rudolph, Howard, and Allar as the Steelers manage the 42-year-old’s workload.
- A full mechanics rebuild. Head coach Mike McCarthy — who built his reputation developing quarterbacks in Green Bay — has been working directly with Allar to clean up footwork and mechanics that were considered raw and inconsistent during his final college season.
- Early flashes. Beat reporters covering camp have highlighted several standout throws from Allar through the first two weeks, along with the expected rookie mistakes, and McCarthy has publicly praised his daily progress.
- “Biggest steal” buzz. Several national NFL outlets have floated Allar as a potential value pick of the 2026 draft class, pointing to his physical tools and the fit with McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly system as reasons his stock could rise if he develops as hoped.
It’s too early in his rookie year to know Allar’s Week 1 role, but the early camp reports suggest a team investing real coaching resources in his long-term development.
Penn State Career Stats: The Complete Breakdown
Allar started 35 of the 45 games he appeared in in Nittany Lions across four seasons, finishing his college career among the most efficient passers in program history.
Career Totals (2022–2025):
- 633-of-1,002 passing (63.2%) for 7,402 yards
- 61 passing touchdowns
- 732 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns
- 26 wins as a starting quarterback
Career Penn State Rankings:
- 1st all-time in completion percentage (63.2%) and interception percentage (1.3%)
- 3rd all-time in touchdown passes (61)
- 4th all-time in passing efficiency and total offense (8,134 yards)
A record-setting start. Allar opened his college career with 311 consecutive pass attempts without an interception — an FBS record at the time, surpassing Robert Griffin III’s mark of 209 attempts set at Baylor in 2008.
Season-by-season snapshot:
| Season | Class | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Freshman | 35/60 | 344 | 4 | — |
| 2023 | Sophomore | 233/389 | 2,631 | 25 | 2 |
| 2024 | Junior | 262/394 | 3,327 | 24 | 8 |
| 2025 | Senior | 103/159 (6 games) | 1,100 | 8 | — |
His 2023 season was historically clean: a 12.5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, second nationally only to Oregon’s Bo Nix, and the lowest single-season interception rate (0.51%) in Penn State history.
High School Recruiting Profile
Before Penn State, Allar was one of the most decorated high school quarterbacks in Ohio history.
- Named Ohio’s Mr. Football and State Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
- Rated the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country and No. 3 overall recruit by 247Sports
- Set Medina County records for career passing yards (9,103) and career passing touchdowns (98)
- Threw for 4,444 yards and 48 touchdowns as a senior, both single-season county records
- Played in the 2022 Adidas All-America Bowl and earned Elite 11 quarterback honors
Drew Allar’s Madden NFL Rating
EA Sports has historically featured Allar in Madden’s college-to-pro talent pipeline given his profile as a top prospect. Now that he’s officially an NFL player under contract with the Steelers, expect Allar to receive a rookie overall rating in the next Madden roster update, likely reflecting his physical tools (arm strength, size, mobility) more than polish — consistent with scouting reports describing him as a high-upside, still-developing passer. Check EA’s official ratings database for the current numeric grade, as rookie ratings are updated throughout the season based on performance.
Personal Life
Drew Patrick Allar was born to Kevin and Dawn Allar and has a sister, Ryann. His father, Kevin, played tight end at Eastern Michigan from 1992–1997, giving Drew a football background from an early age. At Penn State, he majored in recreation, park, and tourism management. Outside of football, he’s described as enjoying time with friends and family and following sports generally — he also played basketball and baseball in high school before focusing solely on football.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NFL team drafted Drew Allar?
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Drew Allar with the No. 76 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
What number does Drew Allar wear?
Allar wears No. 16 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At Penn State, he wore No. 15.
Is Drew Allar starting for the Steelers?
As of the 2026 preseason, Aaron Rodgers is the Steelers’ starting quarterback, with Allar developing behind him alongside Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Allar’s path to significant playing time is expected to open up as Rodgers, who has confirmed 2026 is his final season, moves toward retirement.
How tall is Drew Allar?
Allar is 6’5″ and weighs approximately 235 pounds.
Where is Drew Allar from?
Medina, Ohio, where he attended Medina High School.
What college did Drew Allar play for?
Penn State, from 2022 through the 2025 season.
What are Drew Allar’s career college stats? Allar completed 633 of 1,002 passes (63.2%) for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions across his Penn State career, while adding 732 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.