Former Medina QB Drew Allar returns to Ohio for matchup with Buckeyes

MEDINA, Ohio (WOIO) – Since Drew Allar announced his commitment to Penn State in March of 2021, college football fans in the state of Ohio have been looking forward to this moment.

The former Medina High School quarterback grew up a Buckeye football fan, but didn’t realize his potential as a Division 1 quarterback until his sophomore year of high school.

“When he was in 8th grade he was a linebacker and tight end,” Head Medina Football Coach Larry Laird said. “I think that’s probably why he’s a pretty tough kid.”

Laird said Allar decided to give quarterback a try his freshman year at Medina, and by mid season of his sophomore year, Allar earned the starting spot on varsity.

“Started to see him progress on and on and on,” Laird said. “Just get better and better. I mean it wasn’t weekly it was daily you would see him get better.”

His senior season, Allar threw for a record-breaking 4,400 yards and 48 touchdowns, earning Ohio Mr. Football for 2021.

“We were five wide the whole game just slinging it,” Allar said. “I probably averaged 50 attempts my senior year per game and that’s probably where I got most of my confidence from, just Coach Laird because of the person he is and the personality he has and I think that’s rubbed off on me in a good way.”

Taking the skills he learned at Medina to one of the biggest stages in college football.

On Saturday, October 21 No. 7 Penn State will travel to face No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus.

In his first season as the starter for the Nittany Lions, Allar has thrown for 1,254 yards and 12 touchdowns and hasn’t had a single turnover through five games.

“It’s just a great opportunity to go back home,” Allar said. “We’re gonna be facing a top team in the country on both sides of the ball and it’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

Allar’s former high school coach Larry Laird will be making the trip to Columbus to see the QB play, and said nobody is more prepared for big moments than Allar.

“As great a football player he is, he’s a better person,” Laird said. “I think there’s a lot of people that will be cheering for Ohio State but cheering for Drew to play well.”

Ohio State and Penn State kickoff on Saturday at noon on Fox Sports.

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