The ‘Chosen One’ Without Ever Taking Live Snap
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published April 26, 2026, 8:56 AM
Ask any Steelers fan you’re going to get a mixed bag of Aaron Rodgers like and dislike. When that question leans towards last year’s sixth round pick Will Howard the conversation turns to complete confidence.
The foundation of that thinking was rocked to its core Friday night during the 76th selection of the NFL Draft.
Steelers elected to draft Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the first of three third round selections. That sent some truth serum to anyone thinking Pittsburgh magically had this Tom Brady talent waiting in the wings, by never throwing a pass in the preseason or regular season.
Which brings us back to Howard.
The “chosen one,” the greatest prospect to never throw an NFL pass. I say that with all the sarcasm it deserves, because the allegiance of the fan base is genuinely astonishing.
I do believe that geography has helped propel Howard in the Steelers Hall of Honor, without taking a single snap in the NFL.
Columbus, Ohio, is just a three-hour drive from Pittsburgh, and the area is absolutely saturated with Buckeyes fans. That means a huge chunk of Ohio and western Pennsylvania watched Howard lead Ohio State to a national title in a single season. So, why wouldn’t some of them believe he’s the next messiah for the Steelers?
The hype practically writes itself.
However, now Allar a Penn State alum brings a strong contingency to the support system behind players. The crowd at the draft erupted when the selection was made it shows and sends an early message, he’ll now become the ‘Chosen one” just like Howard by not throwing a pass in the NFL.
For fans, that championship pedigree has been enough to ignite lofty expectations. Add the mystique of a sixth-round “steal,” and suddenly Howard becomes the chosen one in the eyes of many. It will now transfer to Allar the hopes and dreams of a franchise desperate to find long lasting comfort at quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022.
To put things in perspective, prior to Howard going 185th overall, 184 picks had come before him. Looking at college National Championship quarterbacks since 2005: eleven were drafted in the first round, one in the second, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, and one in the sixth and yes, Howard. Four others went undrafted.
Why is Howard the exception?
NFL Draft – Round (Pick/Team)
2025 – Indiana -Fernando Mendoza, (Projected No. 1 Pick in 2026)
2024 – Ohio State, Will Howard, 6th round
2023 – Michigan – J. J. McCarthy, 1st round
2022 – Georgia – Stetson Bnnett, 4th round
2021 -Georgia -Stetson Bennet, 4th round
2020 – Alabama – Mac Jones, 1st round
2019 – LSU – Joe Burrow, 1st Overall
2018 – Clemson -Trevor Lawrence, 1st Overall
2017- Alabama – Jalen Hurts + Tua Tagovailoa* Hurts 2nd round, Tagovailoa 1st round
2016 – Clemson – Deshaun Watson, 1st round
2015 – Alabama – Jake Coker, Undrafted
2014 – Ohio State – Cardale Jones, 4th round
2013 – Florida State – Jameis Winston, 1st Overall
2012 – Alabama – A. J. McCarron, 5th round
2011 = Alabama – A. J. McCarron, 5th round
2010 – Auburn – Cam Newton, 1st Overall
2009 – Alabama – Greg McElroy, Undrafted
2008 – Florida – Tim Tebow 1st round
2007 – LSU, Matt Flynn, Undrafted
2006 -Florida – Chris Leak, Undrafted
2005 – Texas – Vince Young, 1st Round
The non-first round picks on that list above, supports nothing that the Steelers fan base is currently promoting about Howard.
Why is he the exception?
Late-round picks like Howard are usually developmental players, the kind of talent NFL scouts hope can grow into contributors. A sixth rounder might have an exciting trait like arm talent, size, speed but also comes with question marks. It could be injuries, mechanics, or production gaps.
The realistic expectation?
Spend a year or two learning, contribute in a backup role, and maybe, just maybe, become a starter. Tom Brady and Brock Purdy are the extreme examples, rare unicorns aligning all the stars.
I say all of this because I’ve spent the last 20 years talking to the most obscure prospects heading to the NFL Draft. From small schools to top-flight collegiate programs. My NFL Draft Blast podcast was built on digging into late-round picks and under-the-radar talent.
When Pittsburgh drafted Chris Oladokun in the seventh round in 2022, I knew who he was because he was on the podcast. I was as shocked as everyone else when his name was called. I’ve worked CFL scouting, college all-star games, and seen every corner of this draft world. I root for these players.
I love the stories.
That said, let’s remember the Steelers’ history with drafted quarterbacks since Terry Bradshaw went first overall in 1970. They’ve taken 24 QBs since Bradshaw, including notable mid- and late-round picks:
1970 – Terry Bradshaw, 1st overall
1974 – Frank Kolch, 13th Round
1976 – Mike Kruczek, 2nd Round
1977 – Cliff Stoudt, 5th Round
1980 – Mark Malone, 1st Round
1981 – Rick Trocano, 11th Round
1984 – Scott Campbell, 7th Round
1986 – Bubby Brister, 3rd Round
1990 – Neil O’Donnell, 3rd Round
1992 – Cornelius Benton, 12th Round
1993 – Alex Van Pelt, 8th Round
1994 – Jim Miller, 6th Round
1995 – Kordell Stewart, 2nd Round
1996 – Spencer Fischer, 6th Round
2000 – Tee Martin, 5th Round
2003 – Brian St. Pierre, 5th Round
2004 – Ben Roethlisberger, 1st Round
2006 – Omar Jacobs, 5th Round
2008 – Dennis Dixon, 5th Round
2013 – Landry Jones, 4th Round
2017 – Joshua Dobbs, 4th Round
2018 – Mason Rudolph, 3rd Round
2022 – Kenny Pickett, 1st Round
2022 – Chris Oladokum, 7th Round
2025 – Will Howard, 6th Round
2026 – Drew Allar, 3rd Round
This leads us back to Allar and what he brings to the table as the 76th pick of the NFL Draft.
Drew Allar | QB | Penn State | Scout Evaluation
Allar brings ideal size to the position at 6’5”, 235 pounds, but his frame can appear a bit lean for his height. He doesn’t always carry the bulk that gives you confidence he’ll absorb consistent NFL-level contact without wear.
Mechanically, there’s some inconsistency. He has a tendency to alter his throwing motion from rep to rep, which often stems from having to reset his base while navigating the pocket. When he’s forced off platform, his delivery can get loose, leading to variability in ball placement.
From a tools standpoint, the arm talent is evident. He can drive the football to all levels and shows a natural ability to layer throws with touch, particularly on intermediate routes. He throws a catchable ball and gives receivers chances to work after the catch.
Accuracy, however, is where the frustration creeps in. It’s not outright poor—it’s more about placement inconsistencies. The ball can drift slightly behind or lead receivers too far out in front, disrupting timing and limiting yards after catch. It’s correctable, but it needs refinement through repetition and mechanical discipline.
What stands out is his mentality. Allar plays like a quarterback trying to maximize every snap. At times, that urgency works against him, forcing throws or extending plays beyond structure. But that same trait also highlights his playmaking ability and competitive edge.
A strong example came against Nevada. Rolling right, he quickly works through his progression—initially moving off Devonte Ross, scanning back inside as Kaytron Allen settles underneath. As the pocket shifts, Allar climbs and escapes, keeping his eyes downfield. He identifies Kyron Hudson flashing open around the 18-yard line, adjusts his body mid-motion, and delivers an off-platform, lofted throw for a 31-yard touchdown. It’s a sequence that showcases both his processing speed and willingness to create outside structure.
Penn State as a whole fell short of preseason expectations, and the coaching turnover didn’t help stability. As the quarterback, Allar absorbed much of that criticism, fairly or not.
Overall, the traits are there. Size, arm strength, toughness, and flashes of high-level processing. The development path hinges more on refining mechanics and cutting down on avoidable errors than it does on adding tools.
He’s not a finished product but he’s far from limited.
Allar becomes the third quarterback selected by Pittsburgh in the third round since 1970, joining Bubby Brister (1986) and Mason Rudolph (2018). Brister carved out a long, durable career, spending 14 years in the NFL. Seven came in Pittsburgh before he split the final seven between five teams, including three seasons with the Denver Broncos and stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings.
Rudolph’s path carried intrigue of its own. Coming out of Oklahoma State in 2018, he was widely viewed as a sleeper after posting massive production with the Cowboys. One performance, in particular, stood out with a 497-yard, five-touchdown outing against Pitt. Watching from the press box that day was former Steelers GM Kevin Colbert.
“He told me that was one of the reasons,” Rudolph said of why Pittsburgh felt comfortable selecting him in the third round.
Now, the spotlight shifts again. The attention surrounding the quarterback position — and more importantly, the future of the franchise begins drifting toward Allar. That’s the nature of Pittsburgh. The belief once placed in the present quickly pivots to what’s next.
Sustained success has made that search more difficult. The Steelers haven’t endured a losing season since 2003, when they finished 6–10 under Bill Cowher. That consistency keeps Pittsburgh out of range for top-tier quarterback prospects, often forcing them to hunt outside the first round or reach when they do.
They swung and missed in 2023 with Kenny Pickett. They passed on other opportunities in subsequent drafts. Those are the decisions that haunt franchises when the evaluation at quarterback goes sideways. It’s the most important position in the NFL arguably in all of sports and there’s little margin for error.
By 2027, Pittsburgh may find itself at another crossroads. With Aaron Rodgers nearing the end, the current quarterback room will move front and center. And that’s where things get complicated.
Because here’s the reality: NFL teams crave first-round pedigree at quarterback. It’s not just preference it’s security. It’s what helps front offices sleep at night.
In Week 1 last season, only six of the league’s 32 teams started quarterbacks who were not first-round picks. The exceptions tell the story. Jalen Hurts and Tyler Shough came from the second round. Russell Wilson a third-round pick represented the only starter from that tier before eventually being replaced by a first-round investment. Dak Prescott, a fourth rounder, remains an outlier, while Brock Purdy famously “Mr. Irrelevant” continues to defy convention.
From Devlin Hodges to Allar, the leash is simply different for quarterbacks who aren’t drafted in the first round. The patience runs thinner. The margin shrinks.
And if history is any indication, the quarterback carousel in Pittsburgh is far from slowing down.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
