For the past 41 games, Penn State’s quarterback position has been in the hands of players trained by Ohio-based private QB coach Brad Maendler. Drew Allar held the starting job for the first 35 of those games before an injury in October opened the door for redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who’s now set to lead the Nittany Lions into their Dec. 27 matchup against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Allar, a senior, is preparing for the next chapter of his football journey, and that leaves the future of the quarterback room in a transitional phase - one that will unfold under new head coach Matt Campbell. Grunkemeyer has shown enough to warrant a long look moving forward, but beyond him, the depth chart is filled with question marks and untapped potential.
Redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik and freshman Bekkem Kritza are both on the roster, but injuries derailed their 2025 seasons. Neither has had the chance to make a meaningful impact yet, and that uncertainty could push Penn State to explore the transfer portal for a more experienced hand - something the program hasn’t done at quarterback in recent years. But given the current landscape, this winter might be the time for a change in approach.
Help is also on the way in the form of two incoming freshmen: Kase Evans, a former Iowa State commit, and Pennsylvania native Peyton Falzone - the latest Maendler-trained QB headed to Happy Valley.
Falzone brings a lot to the table, and Maendler isn’t shy about his belief in the young signal-caller.
“I’m obviously pretty bullish on him,” Maendler said during the recruiting process. “He’s willing to put in the time to move from raw potential to actual production, and being able to do what they need him to do.”
Falzone becomes just the second in-state quarterback since 2011 to join Penn State as a scholarship freshman. The only other? Beau Pribula in 2022, who transferred to Missouri last winter.
Physically, Falzone is an intriguing prospect. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame college coaches love to develop.
But it’s not just size - it’s athleticism that sets him apart. He’s a multi-sport athlete with a background in both sprinting and swimming, which speaks volumes about his speed, coordination, and overall body control.
According to 247Sports’ scouting director Andrew Ivins, Falzone checks a lot of boxes for today’s spread offenses. He’s not a finished product yet - his mechanics and pocket consistency still need work - but the raw tools are there.
He’s shown the ability to drop the ball into tight windows downfield, using touch and trajectory to beat coverage. He’s also got that elusive quality under pressure, able to extend plays with his legs and keep defenses honest with his dual-threat skill set.
In short, Falzone is the kind of quarterback who can grow into a multi-year starter at the Power Four level. He may not be ready to take the reins right away, but the ceiling is high - and with the right development, he could become a dynamic weapon in Penn State’s offense.
As the Nittany Lions head into a new era under Coach Campbell, the quarterback room will be one of the most closely watched storylines. With Grunkemeyer getting his shot in the bowl game, and young talent like Falzone and Evans arriving on campus, there’s no shortage of intrigue. But whether the answer comes from within or via the portal, one thing is clear: Penn State’s quarterback future is wide open - and full of possibilities.