He’s enrolled and moved into the 2021 class, and he just completed one of the more dominant runs to an undefeated Championship seasons in WIAA history.
He plays Safety, but is now up to 240 LBs and is putting up strength and speed numbers that should have folks thinking Urlacher. He’s 17 and he’s running 4.5 at 240 LBs. This guy could really be a game changer on the Badgers defense.
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There’s a lot of history between Kimberly and Fond Du Lac but Allen and the Cardinals crushed the Papers putting up 71 in the win. Allen had several long TD runs in the process.
Look, I understand he’s projected to play defense, but his size/speed/strength reminds me a lot of John Clay at RB. At 240ish, he would be the perfect big back compliment to Jalen Berger who is more of a wiggle, scatback, get to the outside guy. Allen is someone that will just run you over or run past you between the tackles. I mean, he made Kimberly look really stupid and slow and this is one of the most dominant football programs in the country.
Is he the answer to the Packers ILB position in 2024 or 2025 draft?
@Tschmack posted:Allen is someone that will just run you over or run past you between the tackles. I mean, he made Kimberly look really stupid and slow and this is one of the most dominant football programs in the country.
I guess it’s tempting, but for a guy with his athletic profile playing against Wisconsin high school kids, I don’t know how “skilled” he is at RB. The B1G is a bit of a different animal, and jump cuts and vision make all the difference. That’s why Watson washed out- couldn’t see the flow where the holes developed. That’s where guys like Taylor and Gordon were difference-makers. All the athleticism and also could see the tiniest holes and explode through them.
Leonhard might have found himself a hybrid... a guy who basically shuts down the middle of the field, the way Urlacher did.
It depends on where he can make an immediate impact with the Badgers. They are really good and deep at ILB with Sanborn and Chenal and safety with Nelson and Wilder and another blue chipper (Hunter Wohler) is being added to the mix as well at safety. While the corners are a bit unsettled, this could be the best front 7 in some time.
Other than Berger I don’t think they are settled at the RB rotation. He’s a downhill runner with tremendous burst and power and he has exceptional football IQ. His footwork and vision may not be JT, but it’s well above average. Watson was a tentative runner that really lacked explosiveness and strength for a guy that was pretty damn big. Allen is running low 4.5 at 240+ and he sure doesn’t look like and play like a 17 year old kid. Kimberly is really, really good and he was a man among boys. I was shocked when I saw FDL hung 71 on them. I don’t think they’ve allowed more than 2 TDs all year.
Shit, maybe Allen carves out some time at TE. The kid gets in open space and very few people will catch him. If they do, he’s strong enough to get through the initial contact and if you try tackling him up high he just bounces off guys.
I will admit though the Urlacher comparisons are uncanny.
Yeah, there’s some depth to contend with. But if he forces his way on the field, they’ll find something he can do. Go pure nickel, with this guy as the wild card. Who knows? Maybe he’s a pass rusher...
You have to he could get even bigger and stronger.
And outside pass rusher perhaps?
He just turned 17 in Jan, so yes, he will get bigger and stronger.
LB, in or out, is likely his future.
Hunter Wohlers was named State POTY, which makes the signing of Allen as a S just insane. If these two guys end up the Badgers starting S tandem, or some hybrid version of that, it’s going to be a pretty amazing thing to see. These guys are both 4-star guys, on a class with 8 4-star guys and one 5-star guy.
The defense in general should be ridiculous. The LBs are probably top 5 in the nation. The DL is pretty decent as well and two returning (good) safeties already.
I think they may use Allen as a hybrid DB/pass rusher.
Well, in a not so surprising move, Allen has switched to RB. He’s trimming down to 235 and going to play offense. I guess the depth of the class at LB and S and the fact that the Badgers depth at RB isn’t quite as strong as one would like at “RBU” lead the staff (and it sounds like he was not so subtly hinting at it) to say a 230-240 lb kid running 4.5 was too enticing.
https://wisconsin.rivals.com/n...thlete-braelon-allen
I just worry that he’s just a really big, fast kid with limited vision. That’s what separates the great ones- you gotta feel the flow of the blocking. It really is an innate skill in my view. The higher the level the smaller the creases. It’s what separated JT from guys like John Clay. Sure, you’re a big strong kid. At this level, you gotta have “it.”
I guess we’ll know soon enough. Interesting his roommate will be Hunter Wohler...
@Music City posted:I just worry that he’s just a really big, fast kid with limited vision. That’s what separates the great ones- you gotta feel the flow of the blocking. It really is an innate skill in my view.
Right, either he has it or doesn't.
existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth
I think he’s just a tremendous football player and will adapt. He’s a freak of nature and the Badgers have a ton of depth at safety and LB.
The Badgers have some history in their favor moving guys like Owen Daniels to TE and JJ Watt to OLB/DE.
The transition and learning curve from his last season has been pretty amazing. If he develops and professes this quickly I think the Badgers will be in good shape. They need another guy other than Berger to keep defenses honest. He’s not built to be a feature back and his value is as a receiving threat.
By the way, if he turns out like John Clay why is that a problem? He had a decent career. Guy was offensive player of the year in 2009 and rushed for almost 1,500 yards.
I don’t have anything against hI’m- he was good. I just remember John Clay as a guy who could put up big numbers against mediocre teams, but struggled against better ones. The tougher games require a higher level of play- vision and elusiveness. Clay was a straight line guy. Didn’t see too much jump cuts from him. I think with this line, and the line play historically, you want to have a guy that can see the creases and get more. Like JT did...
Allen is a better overall athlete and has better football instincts than Clay. You need to have quick feet and change of direction ability to play safety. The dude also has that killer instinct, I’m going to mess you up mentality that I’m not sure John Clay had. Clay wasn’t exactly known as having a top notch work ethic.
I don’t want to suggest the Badgers have an embarrassment of riches, but holy crap you get Wohler in the fold, Allen, those horses at OL this class has the makings of a national championship vibe.
My daughter had a math class at Madison when they were both freshman at Madison. Clay wasn't in class much.
@Tschmack posted:I don’t want to suggest the Badgers have an embarrassment of riches, but holy crap you get Wohler in the fold, Allen, those horses at OL this class has the makings of a national championship vibe.
The last couple classes have been very strong. They continue to add talent every year that has a bunch of 4 star guys. And 💯the end goal is a National Championship.
If the young WRs can step forward and Danny Davis stay healthy, they got a shot. Don’t think Ferguson stuck around just because he likes being a Badger. He thinks they have a shot at a ring...
Getting to be an awfully crowded RB room...
The way the Badgers use their RBs you can never have enough quality options.
Allen’s regular involvement in the offense has turned a lost season into a winning one. You can see the difference every week- like Gordon and JT before him, any run is a threat to go the distance.
No doubts left on this kid anymore…
Needs to work on protecting the ball. Winning season?‽??????????
@ammo posted:Is he the answer to the Packers ILB position in 2024 or 2025 draft?
Leo Chenal may be.
@GBFanForLife posted:Needs to work on protecting the ball. Winning season?‽??????????
3 games with a big role, 3 Ws…
8 games, 8 Ws… so why wasn’t he playing the first 3 again? You mean, Berger was the better option to start the season?
About as stupid as a 4th and 1 FB dive…
Have the mods noted that there is no date stamp on the posts in the Badger Forum?
Badgers don't need no stinkin time and date stamp.
@Blair Kiel posted:Have the mods noted that there is no date stamp on the posts in the Badger Forum?
I've noticed and it's a hassle.
it's invisible ink....you have to highlight it to see it
