Dakota Allen Explained

Dakota Allen
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:2 November 1995
Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:232
College:Texas Tech
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:7
Draftpick:251
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • First-team All-Big 12 (2018)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2017)
Statleague:NFL
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:30
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Pfr:A/AlleDa01

Dakota Devon Allen (born November 2, 1995) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas Tech and East Mississippi Community College.

Early years

Allen was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Humble, Texas. He attended Summer Creek High School and was a standout football player for the Bulldogs. As a senior, he recorded 112 tackles and three interceptions and was named the Defensive MVP of District 19-4A. He committed to play college football at Texas Tech over offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Kansas State, and Iowa State.[1]

College career

Allen began his collegiate career at Texas Tech, redshirting his freshman season. As a redshirt freshman, Allen was the Red Raiders' second-leading tackler with 87 stops. After the end of the season, he was charged with second-degree burglary along with two teammates and ultimately expelled from Texas Tech. All charges were eventually dropped against Allen after agreeing to enter a pre-trial diversionary program.[2]

Following his dismissal, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College, where he was featured in the second season of the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U. Allen recorded a team leading 117 tackles with two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five pass breakups. Despite success on the field early in the season, he only originally received scholarship offers from Bowling Green and Troy due to his previous arrest.[3] Allen later received offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Marshall, but opted to return to Texas Tech to finish his collegiate career.[4] [5]

Allen had a breakout junior season in 2017, with 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six forced turnovers. He was subsequently named to the All-Big 12 Conference by Pro Football Focus and to the second-team All-Big 12 by coaches and media.[6] As a senior, Allen made 73 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and was named first-team All-Big 12.[7]

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams (first stint)

Allen was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.[8] Allen signed a four-year $2,594,288 contract with a signing bonus of $74,288 on June 7, 2019.[9] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, but was signed to the practice squad the following day.[10] [11]

Oakland Raiders

On September 24, 2019, Allen was signed by the Oakland Raiders off the Rams practice squad.[12] Allen made his NFL debut on October 6, 2019, against the Chicago Bears, playing eight snaps on special teams.[13] He was waived on October 30 after appearing in two games for the Raiders.[14]

Los Angeles Rams (second stint)

On November 4, 2019, Allen was signed to the Rams practice squad.[15]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On December 10, 2019, Allen was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars off the Rams practice squad.[16] After appearing mostly in the field goal defense. Allen replaced starter Myles Jack in week 4 of the 2020 NFL season during the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.[17] In 2020, Allen played in 13 games with the Jaguars, he started two and played mostly on special teams. He has 14 tackles (nine solo), four special teams tackles and three loss tackles this season.

Allen signed an exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Jaguars on April 15, 2021.[18]

Cleveland Browns

On June 21, 2022, Allen signed with the Cleveland Browns.[19] Allen was waived by the Browns on August 30, 2022.[20] The Browns signed Allen to their practice squad on August 31, 2022.[21] He was signed to the active roster on October 15, 2022.[22] He was waived three days later.[23]

Denver Broncos

On November 22, 2022, Allen was signed by the Denver Broncos off the Browns practice squad.[24] On December 19, Allen was placed on season–ending injured reserve.[25] He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilson . Aaron . April 21, 2019 . Texas Tech LB Dakota Allen hopes NFL draft is next stop on road to redemption . April 28, 2019 . Houston Chronicle.
  2. Web site: Monte . Gabriel . Sigler . Jordan . August 1, 2016 . Attorneys: All charges to be dropped against former Texas Tech linebacker, 2 teammates . April 28, 2019 . LubbockOnline.com . Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  3. Web site: Goodbread . Chase . February 12, 2019 . How LB Dakota Allen turned 'Last Chance' into redemption . https://web.archive.org/web/20190212185159/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001017663/article/how-lb-dakota-allen-turned-last-chance-into-redemption . dead . February 12, 2019 . August 26, 2019 . NFL.com.
  4. Web site: Poe . Julia . July 20, 2018 . Where the Stars of Last Chance U Ended Up for the 2018 Season . January 28, 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  5. Web site: Cornaglia . Andrea . July 27, 2017 . Roster countdown #2: Dakota Allen . August 26, 2019 . VivaTheMatadors.com . SB Nation.
  6. Web site: Shore, Albie . December 21, 2017 . 2017 Tech football rankings: No. 1 Dakota Allen . April 27, 2019 . vivathematadors.com.
  7. Web site: Klein . Gary . April 27, 2019 . Netflix's 'Last Chance U' star Dakota Allen will continue his journey with Rams . April 28, 2019 . Los Angeles Times.
  8. Web site: DaSilva . Cameron . April 27, 2019 . Rams select LB Dakota Allen with their final pick of 2019 NFL draft . January 28, 2023 . TheRamsWire.com . USA Today.
  9. Web site: Bouda . Nate . June 7, 2019 . Rams Sign Two Draft Picks . September 19, 2019 . NFLTradeRumors.co.
  10. Web site: Han . Jamie . August 31, 2019 . Rams trim roster down to 53 players . August 31, 2019 . TheRams.com.
  11. Web site: Han . Jamie . September 1, 2019 . Rams sign 10 practice squad players . September 1, 2019 . TheRams.com.
  12. Web site: September 24, 2019 . Raiders sign Allen; place Lee on IR . January 28, 2023 . Raiders.com.
  13. Web site: Schrock . Josh . October 7, 2019 . Raiders snap count: Foster Moreau shines in statement win vs. Bears . January 28, 2023 . NBC Bay Area.
  14. Web site: October 30, 2019 . Raiders sign trio of players to the active roster . January 28, 2023 . Raiders.com.
  15. Web site: Klein . Gary . September 1, 2019 . John Wolford and Dakota Allen among players signed to Rams' practice squad . January 28, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  16. Web site: December 10, 2019 . Jaguars sign LB Dakota Allen and C Tyler Gauthier . December 10, 2019 . Jaguars.com.
  17. Web site: DiRocco . Mike . October 4, 2020 . Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback CJ Henderson (shoulder) done for the day . October 5, 2020 . ESPN.com.
  18. Web site: 2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April . April 15, 2021 . NFL.com.
  19. Web site: June 21, 2022 . Browns sign LB Dakota Allen . January 28, 2023 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
  20. Web site: Poisal . Anthony . August 30, 2022 . Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2022 season . January 28, 2023 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
  21. Web site: August 31, 2022 . Browns claim QB Kellen Mond, announce 12 practice squad members . January 28, 2023 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
  22. Web site: October 15, 2022 . Browns activate CB Greedy Williams, sign LB Dakota Allen to active roster, elevate two from practice squad . January 28, 2023 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
  23. Web site: Simmons . Myles . October 18, 2022 . Browns waive Dakota Allen . January 28, 2023 . Pro Football Talk . NBC Sports.
  24. Web site: DiLalla . Aric . November 22, 2022 . Broncos sign LB Dakota Allen off Browns' practice squad, place RB Chase Edmonds on injured reserve . January 28, 2023 . DenverBroncos.com.
  25. Web site: Broncos sign Christian DiLauro to active roster; place Dakota Allen on IR. September 28, 2023. nbcsports.com. en.