Penn State Football's Dilemma After Losing QB Commit to the Auburn Tigers

Peyton Falzone’s flip to Auburn just triggered a quarterback ripple effect in Happy Valley.

In this episode, Zach Seyko breaks down:

- Why Penn State may be forced to dip into the transfer portal for a QB — a move James Franklin has never had to make

- The real impact of losing Falzone and what it means for the 2026 depth chart

- The current QB battle between Jaxon Smolik and Ethan Grunkemeyer

- Why Drew Aller is not a Heisman candidate — and why that’s perfectly fine

- What PSU’s long-term QB plan looks like now, and how the staff is trying to navigate a suddenly thin pipeline

If you think this QB room is solid for 2025, wait until you look ahead to 2026...

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00:00 – Intro: Penn State’s QB Room Just Got Complicated

01:30 – Why Losing Falzone Hurts More Than You Think

03:15 – Can Penn State Survive Without a Portal QB?

05:30 – Jaxon Smolik vs Ethan Grunkemeyer: The Real Battle

07:30 – Could One Transfer Out Before 2026?

09:20 – Sponsor Read

10:35 – Why Smolik Might Win QB2 and QB1 in Back-to-Back Years

12:30 – Grunkemeyer’s Ceiling and Franklin’s Risk

14:15 – Offsetting the Losses at QB Next Season

18:30 – Drew Aller in 2025: Not a Heisman Guy, and That’s Okay

20:00 – Run Game, Defense, and Controlled Wins

22:00 – The New Normal for QB Recruiting at PSU

23:00 – Final Thoughts: PSU’s QB Room Is Still Stable — For Now