From an early age, Beau Pribula has enjoyed drawing likenesses of people, places and objects.
It’s no surprise that one of his favorite subjects is Beaver Stadium, home to the Penn State football team.
“When I was younger I used to draw a lot,” Pribula said. “It’s something I really liked to do. It’s something that eases my mind. I’ve always been kind of artistic. I don’t draw as much anymore. I don’t have time.”
Pribula is too busy trying to create more playing time for himself as a third-year quarterback for the eighth-ranked Nittany Lions.
He played in 11 games last season behind Drew Allar, Penn State’s returning starter at quarterback, and accounted for 10 touchdowns. His role might increase in new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s offense.
“There are a lot of plays in his arsenal in which the quarterback needs to be athletic and the quarterback needs to use his legs,” Pribula said. “That’s something that suits me really well. We’re going to have more pocket movement and stuff like that.
“I think a lot of the offense that he carried here from Kansas fits my football personality really well.”
The 6-2, 207-pound Pribula was very effective as a runner last season when he rushed for 329 yards and six TDs and averaged 5.9 per carry. But he never attempted more than five passes in any game and finished 11-for-21 for 149 yards and four scores.
“I did a good job of sustaining the offense and being efficient with the offense,” he said. “I want to continue to do that. I want to be able to make plays whenever needed. I think I did that as well last year.
“I think I established myself as a runner but I want to establish myself to throw the ball downfield. I know I can do that. I didn’t have a lot of attempts last year. That’s something I can bring to the table as well.”
Pribula didn’t make a start, but he replaced the injured Allar and led three scoring drives in Penn State’s 27-6 win over Rutgers. He carried eight times for a season-high 71 yards that afternoon.
“Beau’s a real one,” quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien said. “He’s wired in an elite way. You see the athleticism. He’s grown a ton as a passer. He’s very accurate. He has the full respect of the locker room. That’s very apparent.
“What I appreciate about him is that he’s a kid who competes in everything.”
In high school, Pribula was a three-year starter at quarterback who led Central York to a 30-4 record, three York-Adams League titles, a District 3 Class 6A championship and the Panthers’ first appearance in a PIAA final.
He finished his career with 6,076 passing yards and 75 TDs and 1,304 rushing yards and 33 scores. He was rated a four-star prospect by On3 and ESPN and committed to Penn State about seven months before Allar did.
Pribula did not see game action in 2022, his first season with the Lions, something to which he was unaccustomed.
“It was one of the most difficult things I’ve experienced,” he recalled. “You had to set your mind to tell yourself, ‘I’m going to get better through practice and going against our starting defense.’ It wasn’t fun.
“But looking back, I think it was a huge year of growth and development. I just had to grind through it.”
Last season, he was used mostly in the fourth quarter of games and was productive, especially on the ground. He did not play against Ohio State and Michigan before he saw his time increase in the final three games, sometimes getting on the field with Allar.
“He handled the last two seasons like a pro, like an adult,” O’Brien said. “It hasn’t affected how he approaches the day. I’ve never seen him complain. He’s super, super talented. When he’s gotten on the field, he’s maximized the opportunity.
“We all want to start. We all want to be the guy. Being a backup and preparing as a starter is easier said than done.”
Pribula said this week that he’s more comfortable, more confident, more efficient and more explosive than he’s been.
“I’m seeing the field,” he said. “I’m being calm in the pocket. I have a better touchdown-to-turnover ratio. That comes from taking what the defense gives you and not trying to force it.
“You have a great offensive coordinator who makes the game seem slower. It’s harder for the defense to adjust to the things we do. It makes it easier for us as quarterbacks.”
All signs point to Allar remaining as the starter and to Pribula seeing meaningful playing time. How much remains the question.
“I don’t know,” Kotelnicki said this week. “It’s kind of to be determined. He’s getting a lot of reps, just like Drew, and developing. They’re really growing in their capabilities. It’s TBD, but he’s a good football player, a really good football player.”
