Penn State hasn't named Drew Allar its starting QB

College QB news - August 25, 2023

Photo courtesy of Penn State Athletics

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL QB REPORT

Quarterback Central | Teams | Players

Penn State head coach James Franklin did not name a starting quarterback, according to The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder. Franklin has been consistent in saying this is a real competition between Drew Allar (Stats) and Beau Pribula (Stats) over the last several months. That felt like a stretch the first day he said that and if the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback is anybody but Allar Week 1, that would be a major surprise.

Iowa QB Cade McNamara (Stats) said he’s progressing and did not want to elaborate any further, according to KCCI News’ Shannon Ehrhardt. Earlier this week, head coach Kirk Ferentz said he’s optimistic McNamara will be available Week 1 as he recovers from a soft-tissue injury during fall camp. Backup Joe Labas (Stats) remains out with a soft-tissue injury as well, leaving Deacon Hill (Stats) as the potential starter against Utah State.

Utah QB Cam Rising (Stats) said it could come down to the wire for whether he will be available for the Week 1 matchup with Florida, according to ESPN700. Rising said he’s preparing as if he’ll be the guy but isn’t sure whether he will be able to play as he recovers from a torn ACL. Behind him, Brandon Rose (Stats) has been out with an injury suffered during fall camp, and it could come down to Bryson Barnes (Stats) and Nate Johnson (Stats) with the game less than a week away.

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DEPTH CHART & INJURY REPORT

Week 1 College football QB depth charts & injuries

UCLA QB Ethan Garbers (Stats) seems to be ahead of true freshman Dante Moore (Stats) to be the Week 1 starter, according to Bruin Report Online’s Tracy Pierson. This has felt like the expected outcome throughout fall camp, though head coach Chip Kelly has not said much about who may be in the lead in this quarterback competition. This has felt like a two-man race for a while with Garbers as the frontrunner.