Another top junior CB to take pro plunge... In a case of the rich keeps getting richer, the increasingly strong CB position for the 2005 draft got a little stronger with Tennessee junior CB Jason Allen having reportedly decided to enter this year's draft. Allen joins fellow junior CBs Adam Jones of West Virginia, Justin Miller of Clemson and Fabian Washington of Nebraska, as well as star Oregon State sophomore Brandon Browner who have already entered the 2005 draft making the CB position one of the real strengths at this year's draft.
http://www.tennessean.com/sports/ut/...nt_ID=63829858
UT's Allen files for NFL draft
KNOXVILLE — Tennessee junior free safety Jason Allen has decided that he's ready for the NFL.
Allen said last night that he's filed for early entry into the draft, although he's left himself a window to change his mind by waiting to sign with an agent.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft is Jan. 15. But by not signing with an agent, Allen would have until Jan. 19 to rescind his paperwork.
''I've thought about it a lot and talked it over with my parents, and I feel like it's time to go to the next level,'' said Allen, who led the SEC in tackles this season.
''I haven't signed with an agent, and I'm not going to. That way, if I get a different feeling at the last minute, I can back out of it. But I don't expect that to happen.''
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Allen said he received a second-round grade from the NFL draft advisory committee and believes he can improve his draft position even more with strong testing sessions.
He moved to free safety this season to fill a void after playing cornerback as a sophomore. His preference is to play cornerback in the NFL.
''I feel like I can put up some big numbers at the Combine,'' said Allen, who graduated in December with a degree in sport management.
''I think I can run in the 4.3's (in the 40-yard dash) and do 38 or 40 inches in the vertical jump. I want to play corner, but just like here at Tennessee, I'll play wherever the team wants me to play.''
Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive coordinator John Chavis still plan to visit with Allen at his home in Muscle Shoals, Ala., tomorrow.
''I don't know if it's my place to change his mind,'' Fulmer said. ''We're just going to discuss his options. We've done that with all our players.''
Losing Allen will be a huge blow to the Vols' secondary, which struggled at times this season.
They were especially thin at safety, and with Allen gone, it's almost a certainty that a first-year player will have to come in and play immediately next season.
The first-team All-SEC performer would have been a second-year captain had he returned.
''There were pros and cons to me leaving, and Tennessee was great to me,'' Allen said. ''But this is my decision, and I'm going with it.''
PLAYER POS H/W SCHOOL CL
Aaron Rodgers QB 6-3, 220 California JR
Brandon Browner CB 6-4, 205 Oregon State Soph
Mike Williams WR 6-5, 230 Southern California JR
Thomas Davis FS 6-1, 220 Georgia JR
Channing Crowder LB 6-3, 245 Florida Soph
Alex Smith QB 6-4, 210 Utah JR
Odell Thurman LB 6-1, 240 Georgia JR
Adam 'Pac Man' Jones CB 5-11, 185 West Virginia JR
Jason Allen CB 6-0, 200 Tennessee JR
Justin Miller CB 5-11, 200 Clemson JR
Fabian Washington CB 5-10, 180 Nebraska JR
Ciatrick Fason RB 6-1, 215 Florida JR
Vernand Morency RB 5-10, 215 Oklahoma State JR
Shawne Merriman LB 6-4, 260 Maryland JR
Chris Henry WR 6-5, 210 West Virginia JR
Troy Williamson WR 6-1, 200 South Carolina JR
Eric Shelton RB 6-2, 250 Louisville JR
Roscoe Parrish WR 5-9, 175 Miami JR
Ryan Moats RB 5-9, 205 Louisiana Tech JR
Rian Wallace LB 6-3, 245 Temple JR
T.A. McLendon RB 5-11, 225 North Carolina State JR
Maurice Clarett RB 5-10, 215 Ohio State Soph
Jovan Haye DE 6-3, 280 Vanderbilt JR
Larry Brackins WR 6-5, 220 Pearl River CC Soph
Matt Tant FB 5-11, 240 Vanderbilt JR
Peter Sands FS 6-2, 215 Central Florida JR