By: Matt Thomas, Editor-in-Chief, Basic Blues Nation

 

Penn State football comes into the 2023 season with perhaps the highest expectations in recent program history. Coming off an 11-2 Rose Bowl-winning season, the Nittany Lions are riddled with young talent across the field. The secret has escaped Happy Valley, too. Penn State is ranked as the preseason No. 7 team in both the AP and Coaches Polls.

 

The man that many have dubbed the face of this 2023 team is QB Drew Allar. The former No. 1 QB in the 2022 recruiting cycle, Allar is one of the most highly-touted signal callers to ever step foot on Penn State’s campus. Nationally, some have even deemed Allar as one of the most important players in this year’s College Football Playoff race.

 

All eyes on Allar

 

For most outsiders, Penn State will go wherever Allar leads his teammates in 2023. Even those around the program recognize the talent and potential the 19-year-old signal caller possesses.

 

“I do think the fact that a lot of people are saying, from an arm-talent standpoint, he’s probably the best or one of the best that has ever come out of the school, that’s a tremendous amount of pressure,” former Penn State QB legend and NBC broadcaster Michael Robinson said of Allar recently. “From what I’ve seen from the kid, being around the program in the offseason a little bit, lifting weights there, and just seeing him around the team, he’s a leader. He’s doing a great job of handling practice, handling the workouts, and handling everything that comes off the field with being a leader. And that’s going to serve him well.”

 

Special bond forming

 

But despite the acclaim, Allar recognizes that success in football is the ultimate team effort. As part of the brand-new partnership between Happy Valley United, Up on Game, and Basic Blues Nation, we sat down with Drew Allar for an exclusive interview ahead of the much-anticipated 2023 season.

 

Beyond his recruitment to Penn State, gameday routine, and favorite Creamery ice cream flavor (mint chocolate chip, if you were wondering), Allar spoke about the special bond this year’s team has already formed.

 

“We have a really talented team,” Allar said of his teammates. “[We have] a lot of veterans that came back for their final year…In general, I think we have a really good team in terms of team chemistry.”

 

For Allar, this chemistry was formed through grueling workouts in the summer heat. In the end, the sweat was worth it, as the sophomore QB believes it helped to create a brotherhood on this roster that will withstand an arduous Big Ten conference slate.

 

“I think we’ve built that bond through summer workouts and fall camp that just ended,” he told us. “…We have a really tight-knit group, and that’s only going to help us throughout the games that we play this year.”

 

 

This sentiment was echoed by someone who was tasked with pushing Allar to his limit during fall camp, LB and team captain Dom DeLuca. “The vibe of the team is very good,” DeLuca said in our sit-down discussion. “I feel like we’re all connecting very well on a different aspect other than football. We’re all coming together personally and sharing great experiences. Just going through camp together brings everyone closer.”

 

Ready for the opportunity

 

With fall camp ended and kickoff against West Virginia now mere days away, Allar expressed that the entire team is ready to go out on Saturday night, impress the hometown fans, and get a statement win.

 

“I think [we’re] just very excited because obviously, we’ve been competing against each other since, really, January,” he said. “Ever since the last season ended, we’ve been competing against each other. I think we’re all very excited for the opportunity to go out next Saturday night and put out what we’ve been working so hard on this offseason. There’s just a lot of excitement, really, and I think we’re ready to take that step.”

Happy Valley United exclusive events for West Virginia weekend

 

Penn State opens the highly anticipated 2023 football season in Beaver Stadium Saturday night at 7:30. Happy Valley United will be on site providing exclusive gameday experiences, including:

 

• 2023 Kickoff Tailgate, Jeffrey Field, 11 AM – 7 PM
• Features an open bar, buffet style lunch and dinner provided by the 409 Tailgate Club
• Special guests include: Mike Mauti, Mike Hull, Jordan Hill, Micah Parsons, Arnold Ebiketie, Jahan Dotson, Jesse Luketa
• Race to 107
• With the support of Adam Breneman, Happy Valley United is looking to boost the football-specific NIL fund with the race to raise $107,000 before WVU kickoff

 

Be sure to check out these and all the exclusive experiences presented by Happy Valley United for the 2023 season!

 

Exclusive player insights, presented by Happy Valley United

 

If you enjoyed this sit-down interview with Drew Allar, stay tuned for more exclusive player insights throughout the 2023 season. We will be providing exclusive access to player interviews and other content throughout the fall as part of the brand-new partnership between Happy Valley United, Up on Game, and Basic Blues Nation.

 

This initiative aims to promote NIL opportunities for the over 800 Penn State student-athletes represented by Happy Valley United and provide you with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from your favorite Nittany Lions.

 

To donate, please visit Happy Valley United’s website. We Are!