Former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has had to navigate some deep personal lows over the past several years.

In the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinal, he threw a game-sealing late interception vs. Notre Dame and then, last October, he broke his ankle vs. Northwestern and had to watch from the sidelines as Penn State’s season crumbled.

But after being chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (76th overall) of the NFL Draft on Friday in Pittsburgh, those woes can officially be left in the past as Allar begins his professional career.

“For me, it always starts with getting more consistent,” Allar said after the draft to Pittsburgh reporters via conference call. “I feel like the most consistent player I can be the best player I feel I will be.”

Allar joins a Steelers organization actively working to plot a course at quarterback for the 2026 campaign and beyond.

Aaron Rodgers, 42, has been quiet as to his intentions about returning to Pittsburgh after spending 2025 with the club and leading the Steelers to an AFC North title and the postseason.

The Steelers also have 24-year-old Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft, on the roster. Allar and Howard have a friendship that extends back over the years, and the two faced each other in a top-five matchup in November 2024 won by Howard’s Ohio State team that would go on to win the national championship.

“I think it will bring out the best in them,” Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth said. “These are two ultra-competitive individuals… and I think that type of competition typically brings out the best in people. I that it will for both of them.”

Allar’s selection at No. 76 came significantly earlier than where most mock drafts placed him.

For example, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. listed Allar as the No. 115 overall prospect available in this year’s draft.

A 6-foot-5 former top national quarterback prospect, Allar started 35 games for the Nittany Lions from 2023-25, going 26-9. Allar ended his Penn State career with the school record for completion percentage (63.2%) and interception percentage (1.3%).

In total, he threw for 7,402 yards, which ranks fourth, and 61 touchdowns (third).

“He can throw the football, and I think he throws it as well as any quarterback in this draft class,” Arth said. “He has an effortless arm. He can make every single throw on the field.”

Allar threw just 13 interceptions over his three years as a starter at Penn State and began his collegiate career with an FBS-record 311 attempts before throwing his first pick.

At the time of his injury last October, Allar had thrown for 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

Playing in 16 games for the 2024 Nittany Lions, Allar threw for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight picks. The prior year, his first as a starter, he completed 59.9% of his passes for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns and a pair of picks.

Allar earned back-to-back All-Big Ten honorable mentions in 2023 and 2024.

An Ohio native, Allar grew up a fan of the Cleveland Browns.

“I guess that’s out the window now,” he said.