Hey Bob! Could Penn State hit the transfer portal for a quarterback in 2025? Subscriber mailbag

It is that time of year when Penn State fans begin to worry about talented players declaring early for the NFL draft.

Makes sense. James Franklin has built a roster loaded with underclassmen who would be appealing to NFL teams.

I've heard from several PennLive's Penn State text subscribers who are curious if a few Lions would be tempted to leave early.

One popular PSU name can be found below, as we continue to explore some of the most interesting comments/questions from our subscriber base.

From John Graham:

Bob, the changes taking place in college sports due to the transfer portal are considerable. Quarterbacks, in particular, are moving and many of the better quarterbacks are now playing for their second or third school. Examples are Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon. This is overall good, as overlooked players are now getting a chance to play and realize their potential. If Drew Allar leaves after this year (good possibility), do you think James will anoint Beau Pribula or shop in the market? It would seem bringing in an outsider, as Ohio State did this year, would be a downer for the team's m0rale. What say you?

Fair question. First, the Buckeyes' decision to add Kansas State dual-threat QB Will Howard has been a good one, as Penn State found out in the fourth quarter of Ohio State's 20-13 victory over the Lions at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 2.

Regarding Allar, look, there are still three regular-season games left and at least one postseason game.

I doubt Drew has given much consideration to his 2025 plans. But there's this: How Allar plays in the next 3-4 games could go a long way toward shaping his decision.

Allar should also be sitting on a big performance against 1-8 Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette.

I don't believe it's a given that Allar would leave after this season, even if he plays brilliantly the rest of the way.

But that doesn't answer John's question.

What would Franklin do if Allar decided to leave?

I don't see Penn State's leader exploring transfer portal options at quarterback. For starters, the good ones are not cheap.

But I think the Lions have two talented options behind Allar.

Dual-threat Beau Pribula, who would be fourth-year junior in 2025, is a playmaker who came up big for the Lions at Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago. Allar couldn't play in the second half due to a leg injury, and Pribula did damage to a pretty solid defense with his arm and his legs.

Franklin and Penn State quarterbacks coach Danny O'Brien are both thrilled with true freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, a right-hander with a cannon.

I say Franklin will stay in-house for his 2025 starting quarterback if Allar enters the draft.