Drew Allar Gives Back to Hometown With Children’s Book

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) continues to evolve in new and creative directions. With personalized food deals, movie advertisements, and partnerships with stuffed animal companies, the opportunities are endless. Check out how Penn State quarterback (QB) Drew Allar contributed to this unique list.

In October of 2022, Allar announced he had crafted a new children’s book titled “The Men In Back.” The novel includes how he became a Nittany Lion, and who he is off the field.

Co-author Andy Vodopia shared additional insight into what the 34-page book will detail.

“It will cover things about you that people wouldn’t necessarily know, but always done in kind of a cute fashion,” Vodopia said per On3.com. “I’ll routinely get asked, what’s the age group? We call it a children’s book, but the reality is, I’m finding adults like it, too. And it’s not so much for the reading of the material. It’s that it’s kind of unique, and if you’re a fan, let’s face it, what can you get that will last forever for $20?”

A new business venture

According to Sports Illustrated, Vodopia retired from his job at IBM after 40 years of accounting and finance. He then started Exit 56 Publications in 2021 and published his first book, “The Men Up Front” in April of 2022. This novel featured (at the time) current Michigan linemen Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, plus former lineman Ryan Hayes.

After realizing he wanted to continue working with college athletes, Penn State was among the first programs to get back to Vodopia.

Now, Allar says he is proud to be a part of the partnership. Specifically, he says he wants to spread a sense of hope to other players who might read the novel.

“The message I just wanted to give to [kids] was to always have hope and work as hard as you can,” Allar said. “I never really pictured myself being in this position, because I didn’t start playing quarterback until seventh grade, eighth grade, and didn’t start in high school until the second half of my sophomore year. I just wanted to give them hope, and if they have dreams, they can achieve them,” Sports Illustrated writes. 

Allar repays Medina

The book is available for $20 only by Exit 56 Publications. Allar won’t be keeping his 50% of the proceeds, though. Instead, he pledged to pass it along to the Medina, Ohio Youth Gridiron Program, a program he says he owes for helping him “jumpstart” his football career, Onward State says. 

“This is the way NIL was intended to be done,” Vodopia said. “The athletes were supposed to be getting paid for their image and likeness. You read so many stories now where [athletes] are just getting paid, period. This is the way it was intended to be.”

“Medina Youth Football definitely started my love for the game, and I’m just glad I’m able to give back to them,” Drew said to The Daily Collegian. “Football is the greatest life lesson out there. I mean, like, you can’t have success individually without the team. I just feel like kids can really benefit from that.”

NIL doesn’t get much better than this.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.