STATE COLLEGE, PA: Penn State’s quarterback future is already taking shape as 2026 four-star commits Peyton Falzone and Troy Huhn turned heads at last week’s Elite 11 regional camp in State College. The duo’s standout performances signal an early start to a critical QB competition that could define the Penn State Nittany Lions’ post-Drew Allar era. Head coach James Franklin’s decision to take two signal-callers in the same class for the first time since 2022 (Allar and Beau Pribula) reflects both the program’s long-term vision and the realities of modern roster management. Original source.
Team Breakdown: Penn State’s 2026 QB Landscape
With Allar entering his final season of eligibility in 2025, Penn State’s depth chart features redshirt sophomore Ethan Grunkemeyer (2024 class) and Jaxon Smolik (2023 class) as potential successors. Grunkemeyer served as QB2 during the Nittany Lions’ 2024 College Football Playoff run, while Smolik’s development was slowed by injury. Franklin’s dual commitment of Huhn and Falzone underscores a strategic hedge against transfer portal volatility, ensuring the program maintains high-ceiling talent in a rapidly evolving college football ecosystem.
Prospects in the Spotlight: Huhn vs. Falzone
Huhn, a 6’3″ California native, brings a refined pocket presence and sharp decision-making honed at San Marcos High School. His offer list included Texas A&M and Nebraska, but he chose Penn State for its developmental track record. Falzone, a 6’5″ Pennsylvania product from Nazareth Academy, offers a tantalizing blend of size and mobility, thriving in improvisational situations. Both prospects are expected to redshirt in 2026, setting up a pivotal 2027 battle—assuming neither transfers amid inevitable roster churn.
Future Forecast: Transfer Portal Realities
Franklin’s two-QB strategy acknowledges the inevitability of attrition. Grunkemeyer or Smolik could seek opportunities elsewhere if Huhn or Falzone emerge faster, accelerating the timeline for the 2026 recruits. The Elite 11 camp highlighted their contrasting strengths, but practice reps and offseason development will ultimately determine who leads Penn State into the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff era.
