On Sunday morning, Ethan Grunkemeyer was relatively unknown in State College. But by Monday morning, his name started to make waves as he emerged as a potential key player in Penn State football. After backup quarterback Beau Pribula's decision to enter the transfer portal before the first-round College Football Playoff game against SMU, Grunkemeyer seemed ready to step into Pribula's shoes as the Nittany Lions' No. 2 quarterback.

Early Life and High School Achievements

A true freshman from Lewis Center, Ohio, Grunkemeyer played quarterback at Olentangy High School. Initially a three-star recruit, he quickly gained national prominence through his impressive performances at the Elite 11 camps. Competing with top quarterbacks like Julian Sayin, Dylan Raiola, and Air Noland, he showed his potential. He went back to high school for an extra year and broke several school records, amassing 8,401 career passing yards, 80 career passing touchdowns, 3,517 season passing yards in his senior year, and 39 season passing touchdowns. These achievements solidified his status as a standout quarterback.

Family and Background

Grunkemeyer grew up in an Ohio State household but developed a general love for college football. Growing up close to Columbus, Ohio, he was familiar with the football scene. Medina, where Drew Allar attended high school, and Olentangy often played against each other, and it was noted that Grunkemeyer seemed like the better high school prospect during his senior year.

College Career So Far

He graduated from high school early and enrolled at Penn State in the spring semester of 2024. Despite not making much noise on campus initially, he established himself as the No. 3 quarterback in Penn State's depth chart after Jaxon Smolik's long-term injury. Although media members aren't allowed to talk to true freshmen, James Franklin has mentioned Grunkemeyer's progress throughout the season. Notably, Franklin wanted him to be "ready" ahead of the Ohio State bout after Allar got injured. However, he didn't see any playing time against Ohio State and has yet to register any snaps this season. The only time he took snaps in front of fans was at the 2024 Blue-White Game, where he completed four of eight pass attempts for 11 yards and an interception for the Blue Team.

Playoff Expectations

With the upcoming game against SMU on December 21, it's unlikely that Grunkemeyer will see much action. Barring a disaster for Drew Allar, he is expected to sit this one out, with only a few snaps possible in case of a blowout. While his lack of experience may not inspire confidence among Penn State fans, he has the potential to make an impact in the future if given the chance.