Expert Projections for Penn State's 2025 NFL Draft Class: Tony Pauline previews Drew Allar, Abdul Carter, and more
Penn State has placed a player in the first round of every draft since 2021, including a pair this past April. The program will easily match that production next year, as two prospects are projected as top-15 picks: a potential franchise quarterback and an impact defensive player.
Penn State NFL Draft 2025 Preview
#1 Abdul Carter
Once fondly referred to as Linebacker U, junior Abdul Carter harkens back to those days. A complete three-down defender who reminds me of LaVar Arrington on occasion, Carter is a dominant three-down defender who constantly causes disruption and forces the action.
He’s an explosive pass rusher who blows through blocks to sack the quarterback or make plays behind the line of scrimmage. At the same time, Carter shows great range and speed, making plays sideline to sideline and getting terrific depth on pass drops to make plays in coverage.
Micah Parsons was the 12th pick in the 2021 draft, yet there’s a very real chance Carter is selected before that spot.
#2 Drew Allar
The last time Penn State had a quarterback selected in the first round? It was 1995 when Kerry Collins was chosen by the Carolina Panthers as the fifth pick. And while Drew Allar may not go that early in the draft, he’ll be a top-15 pick.
Already highly rated by scouts, the junior has the physical skills and mental acumen to be a starting quarterback on Sundays, and Allar has incredible upside potential. He has classic pocket-passer size at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, and the arm strength to match.
Allar can make all the throws and is a legitimate deep passer. Though he is not an RPO quarterback, he has enough mobility to escape the rush. Along with his physical skills, Allar does a great job seeing the field and protecting the football.
More polished than Michael Penix Jr. and more physically gifted than Bo Nix, I could see Allar making a massive jump-up off draft boards.
Other Penn State players who can find a spot in the 2025 Draft class
The talent level drops off after Carter and Allar, as we go from early first-round picks to Day 3 prospects.
Kobe King is a well-rounded linebacker who does the little things well. Running back Nick Singleton is quick and creative, yet he shows a lot of hesitation in his game. Tyler Warren does everything well at the tight end position, yet he’s a one-speed player who isn’t a downfield threat.
Penn State 2025 NFL Draft projections
Early projections for the Nittany Lions' 2025 NFL Draft class are as follows: