Jump to content

FB/DL Christian Allen (WV) Commits


Recommended Posts

Tuesday, January 31 2012

Morgantown High School All-State defensive lineman Christian Allen will live out his dream and play Division I football for the Akron Zips.

On Monday, Allen was offered a scholarship and gave his commitment to the Zips coaching staff and new head coach Terry Bowden. Akron was the only school to offer the 6-foot-2 fullback/defensive lineman.

The star Mohigan wasn’t the most highly recruited player entering his senior season and Allen actually did some recruiting of his own. When he heard Bowden became the new head coach at Akron he sent his tape out to Ohio to see what his chances would be. Fortunately, for Allen, things turned out very well.

“Once he got the job at Akron I sent my highlight video to him and they said they were interested me,” said Allen. “They asked for me to come out for an official visit and I did that last weekend. They call me today (Monday) and offered me a full scholarship.”

“When I went there it felt like home, just like Morgantown and the facilities are great there,” continued Allen.

The Morgantown native becomes the 13th verbal commitment in the Zips’ 2012 recruiting class. At 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds he will be listed as a fullback on the roster, but depending on how his body develops in the weight room he may switch to the defensive line in the future.

The All-State performer has always been around the game of football. He grew up watching Mountaineer games and his brother (Jeff) also played college football and was an All-State performer for the Mohigans. Allen says he’s extremely happy to be able to play his favorite sport in college.

“It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play Division I football,” said Allen. “I’ve always been around it. One of my friends Tyler Anderson, who plays for West Virginia, he’s been like my role model. I’ve always wanted to play football and saw an opportunity to do it an took it.”

On Wednesday, Allen will officially become a member of the Akron football family when he sends his letter of intent to the Zips on National Signing Day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pretty sure.... look at the highlights from his North Alabama team last season -- the FB is almost entirely a blocker - but pretty dadgum important :)

Here's a question, probably deserving of another thread, but I'll just ask NewZipsFan here: in Coach Bowden's version of the spread offense, is the QB typically/ideally more of a Pro-style QB who slings the ball all over the field, or is the QB ideally more of a Dual-threat player who often looks to run w/ the ball?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a question, probably deserving of another thread, but I'll just ask NewZipsFan here: in Coach Bowden's version of the spread offense, is the QB typically/ideally more of a Pro-style QB who slings the ball all over the field, or is the QB ideally more of a Dual-threat player who often looks to run w/ the ball?

Watch for yourself: North Alabama 2011 Game 5 Highlights

Make sure to pay attention to the

at about 5:50 by #1 - Janoris Jenkins... he will be a first round pick in the draft.

North Alabama 2011 - NCAA playoffs

Oh - and the PR at about 2:00 by #1 also.... remember his name because you will be watching him on Sundays for a long time :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Make sure to pay attention to the
at about 5:50 by #1 - Janoris Jenkins... he will be a first round pick in the draft.
Transfer from Florida after some off field issues. Coach Bowden seemed to straighten him up? Might have saved his career? At the very least, he made him some extra money.

01/27/12 - 2012 SENIOR BOWL RISERS: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: One could make an argument that the strongest position group at this year's Senior Bowl was cornerback. And the cream of the crop among the cover guys is a small-school guy in a roundabout way. Jenkins was a standout cornerback at Florida before he was dismissed by the Gators for several off-field issues and transferred to North Alabama, an FCS school, in 2011.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Transfer from Florida after some off field issues. Coach Bowden seemed to straighten him up? Might have saved his career? At the very least, he made him some extra money.

01/27/12 - 2012 SENIOR BOWL RISERS: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: One could make an argument that the strongest position group at this year's Senior Bowl was cornerback. And the cream of the crop among the cover guys is a small-school guy in a roundabout way. Jenkins was a standout cornerback at Florida before he was dismissed by the Gators for several off-field issues and transferred to North Alabama, an FCS school, in 2011.

Janoris is big-time... The "real deal". He could have transferred to any DII school in the country, but he knew there was only one choice - to play for Coach Bowden. Preston Parker, current WR for the TB Bucs did the same in 2009.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Janoris is big-time... The "real deal". He could have transferred to any DII school in the country, but he knew there was only one choice - to play for Coach Bowden. Preston Parker, current WR for the TB Bucs did the same in 2009.

And if anyone had the chance to talk to him, you'd know he was contrite about his past, and very humble to have a 2nd chance. Whatever team picks him will get a great athlete, and a leader to boot. Sometimes stupid kids make stupid mistakes, but Janoris was fortunate enough to have another chance to redeem himself.

He could have gone to the supplemental draft last year I do believe, but instead chose to play another year in college to help dispel the misdoings of his past as best he could. That right there should tell you something.

As far as the fullback goes, you'll see them knocking heads blocking, and might sneak out and catch a pass every once in a while. If the fullback is in the game, the defense better strap it up and get ready to take a pounding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And if anyone had the chance to talk to him, you'd know he was contrite about his past, and very humble to have a 2nd chance. Whatever team picks him will get a great athlete, and a leader to boot. Sometimes stupid kids make stupid mistakes, but Janoris was fortunate enough to have another chance to redeem himself.

He could have gone to the supplemental draft last year I do believe, but instead chose to play another year in college to help dispel the misdoings of his past as best he could. That right there should tell you something.

As far as the fullback goes, you'll see them knocking heads blocking, and might sneak out and catch a pass every once in a while. If the fullback is in the game, the defense better strap it up and get ready to take a pounding.

Well tank you very much, Tank Buddy :wave: I didn't see a fullback in a whole lot of the UNA formations from the youtube highlights. But I hope to see one in short yardage situations.

Here is another story on Christian Allen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
And if anyone had the chance to talk to him, you'd know he was contrite about his past, and very humble to have a 2nd chance. Whatever team picks him will get a great athlete, and a leader to boot. Sometimes stupid kids make stupid mistakes, but Janoris was fortunate enough to have another chance to redeem himself.

He could have gone to the supplemental draft last year I do believe, but instead chose to play another year in college to help dispel the misdoings of his past as best he could. That right there should tell you something.

JJ gets SI's Don Banks "In All Honesty Award"

Rarely have I seen a combine prospect enter the media work room and open a vein for reporters quite like Jenkins did Sunday afternoon in his 10-minute interview session. I'll say this, Jenkins is no Ryan Mallett, the Arkansas quarterback who took the stage in the 2011 combine and defiantly refused to shed any light on the rumors of collegiate drug use in his background. Jenkins turned the spotlight on his own behavior and filled in all the blanks. In detail. If the first step toward overcoming mistakes is acknowledging them, Jenkins is well on his way.

Jenkins, the ex-Gators star, talked about his three arrests, two of them for marijuana possession. He talked about his bar fight arrest. His failed drug test at Florida. Being kicked off the team by new Gators head coach Will Muschamp last spring and winding up at Division II North Alabama. And his four children, all age 3 and under. It was a remarkably revealing Q&A, and he struck just the right tone of remorse and responsibility throughout. No Vontaze Burfict, he.

On Tuesday, Jenkins went out and dazzled the scouts on the field, running a blazing 4.46 in the 40, broad-jumping 10-1 and looking smooth and athletic in all the defensive back drills. He's a first-round talent, and he may have earned himself a fresh look from a handful of wary teams with his stellar combine performance.

Charlotte Observer writes JJ was a WINNER in workouts

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Dr Z unpinned this topic

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...