MEDINA, Ohio — NOTE: The audio highlights in the player above are from Medina's 2020 game against Brunswick
Ohio's top high school quarterback will be continuing his football career at one of the top schools in the Big Ten, albeit at a place most local fans would consider a rival.
Medina's Drew Allar announced his committment to Penn State Monday as part of the class of 2022, tweeting a photo of himself donning his No. 14 in Nittany Lions blue. The junior signal-caller also posted a statement thanking his family, coaches, and others who helped him during his career and recruiting journey.
"Growing up in Ohio it has always been a dream of mine to have the opportunity to play and compete in the BIG10," Allar wrote. "Thank you to [Penn State offensive coordinator Mike] Yurich and [head coach James] Franklin for believing in me enough to give me the opportunity to play footbal for such an incredible program."
As a junior in 2020, Allar passed for 2,963 yards and 26 touchdowns to earn second-team All-Ohio honors from the OHSAA. He led the Battling Bees to a 6-4 record that including an improbable run through the Division I state playoffs, upsetting powerhouses St. Edward and St. Ignatius in back-to-back weeks before falling to Greater Cleveland Conference rival Mentor in the regional finals.
Allar's performance helped his recreuiting stock steadily rise, and 247sports' composite system currently has him listed as a four-star prospect and the ninth-best pro-style quarterback in America. He had offers from more than 20 schools, including Notre Dame and Michigan, before ultimately picking PSU.
Although they were rumored to show interest, one school that apparently did not offer Allar a scholarship was Ohio State, and Allar will now have many opportunities to play against them in the coming years. Part of the reason a match between Allar and the Buckeyes never came to fruition is likely OSU's landing of fellow 2022 QB Quinn Ewers, a Texas native whom 247 has pegged as the No. 1 overall prospect in that class.
Allar is one of three Northeast Ohio 2022 prospects given four-star ratings by 247. Strongsville offensive tackle Blake Miller committed to Clemson last October, while St. Edward defensive end Trey Bixby will be headed to Minnesota. The state's top recruit is Marysville's Gabe Powers, a four-star linebacker who will play for Ohio State.