Bluestang
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Nate Allen:
Overview
"The Golden Child," as some of Allen's teammates have called him, has the genes and physical style NFL teams like in their free safeties. Allen's father played professional basketball in Europe, while his athletic exploits as a high school quarterback and basketball player brought many recruiters to his door. Allen stepped into the spotlight with a huge sophomore season in 2007, making 84 tackles, intercepting four passes, breaking up eight others and leading the Bulls onto the national scene when they beat 17th-ranked Auburn. Allen won the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week Award for his performance in that game (forced and recovered fumbles, interception). His statistics were down in '08 (53 tackles, one interception), but as a senior he returned to his playmaking form (85 tackles, four interceptions) in a second-team All-Big East season. The ability to attack the line of scrimmage, make plays in deep coverag, and track down running backs from behind makes scouts take note in the film room. Speed, versatility, intelligence and toughness? Sounds like a NFL starter in the making.
Analysis
Read & React: Comes downhill to attack tight ends between the linebackers. Reacts quickly when a corner is in trouble and has the speed to catch free receivers from the opposite hash. A step slow to pick up misdirection and bootlegs but recovers nicely; still typically makes the play a few yards downfield.
Man Coverage: Good straight-line speed and fair change of direction abilities, but struggles to stay with receivers downfield when lining up in the slot, as you would expect from a safety. Slow, high, choppy backpedal. Should match up well against NFL tight ends in the flat.
Zone Coverage: Good range to get from the hash to the sideline on deep throws. Good height and vertical to win jump balls. Solid last line of defense, bringing his hips to stop receivers in their tracks. Will pound a receiver over the middle. Will take incorrect angles to the sideline at times, relying on his speed too often. Makes quarterbacks pay for underthrown balls, stepping in to make the interception more often than not.
Closing/Recovery: Will get to the ball when it's in the air, knocking the receiver or the ball to the ground. Doesn't always take correct angles when the play is in front of him, but has the speed to recover - preventing a big play from becoming huge.
Run Support: When allowed to attack the line, Allen is an explosive, reliable in-the-box tackler. Good last line of defense to prevent breakaway runs. Will add himself to the pile and push back the runner to prevent the extra yard. Not physical enough to get off tight end blocks on the edge. Gets sucked in too far on runs, failing to keep the runner from getting the sideline.
Tackling: Generally a secure tackler in the secondary. Gives good effort, and many times is the second man in on a tackle. Gets frozen and loses battles against elusive running backs in the open field. Played a lot of deep Cover-2, and played behind an active front seven - leading to fewer opportunities for tackles in 2008. Aggressiveness and secure tackling; will be a solid special teams player at the next level. Intangibles: Very good student. Sets the defense on the field. Loves the game; works hard on and off the field to improve. NFL Comparison: Brodney Pool, Browns
Fits the scheme that Wade runs....
Overview
"The Golden Child," as some of Allen's teammates have called him, has the genes and physical style NFL teams like in their free safeties. Allen's father played professional basketball in Europe, while his athletic exploits as a high school quarterback and basketball player brought many recruiters to his door. Allen stepped into the spotlight with a huge sophomore season in 2007, making 84 tackles, intercepting four passes, breaking up eight others and leading the Bulls onto the national scene when they beat 17th-ranked Auburn. Allen won the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week Award for his performance in that game (forced and recovered fumbles, interception). His statistics were down in '08 (53 tackles, one interception), but as a senior he returned to his playmaking form (85 tackles, four interceptions) in a second-team All-Big East season. The ability to attack the line of scrimmage, make plays in deep coverag, and track down running backs from behind makes scouts take note in the film room. Speed, versatility, intelligence and toughness? Sounds like a NFL starter in the making.
Analysis
Read & React: Comes downhill to attack tight ends between the linebackers. Reacts quickly when a corner is in trouble and has the speed to catch free receivers from the opposite hash. A step slow to pick up misdirection and bootlegs but recovers nicely; still typically makes the play a few yards downfield.
Man Coverage: Good straight-line speed and fair change of direction abilities, but struggles to stay with receivers downfield when lining up in the slot, as you would expect from a safety. Slow, high, choppy backpedal. Should match up well against NFL tight ends in the flat.
Zone Coverage: Good range to get from the hash to the sideline on deep throws. Good height and vertical to win jump balls. Solid last line of defense, bringing his hips to stop receivers in their tracks. Will pound a receiver over the middle. Will take incorrect angles to the sideline at times, relying on his speed too often. Makes quarterbacks pay for underthrown balls, stepping in to make the interception more often than not.
Closing/Recovery: Will get to the ball when it's in the air, knocking the receiver or the ball to the ground. Doesn't always take correct angles when the play is in front of him, but has the speed to recover - preventing a big play from becoming huge.
Run Support: When allowed to attack the line, Allen is an explosive, reliable in-the-box tackler. Good last line of defense to prevent breakaway runs. Will add himself to the pile and push back the runner to prevent the extra yard. Not physical enough to get off tight end blocks on the edge. Gets sucked in too far on runs, failing to keep the runner from getting the sideline.
Tackling: Generally a secure tackler in the secondary. Gives good effort, and many times is the second man in on a tackle. Gets frozen and loses battles against elusive running backs in the open field. Played a lot of deep Cover-2, and played behind an active front seven - leading to fewer opportunities for tackles in 2008. Aggressiveness and secure tackling; will be a solid special teams player at the next level. Intangibles: Very good student. Sets the defense on the field. Loves the game; works hard on and off the field to improve. NFL Comparison: Brodney Pool, Browns
Fits the scheme that Wade runs....
