Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6’2
Weight: 215 pounds
School: Penn State Nittany Lions
Combine Performance Data
Bench Press: 15 reps
Vertical Jump: 37 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, 7 inches
20-yard Shuttle: 4.32 seconds
Marcus Allen 2018 NFL Draft Profile
After leading his high school team to the Maryland 4A State Championship as a junior, Marcus Allen was sidelined after three games into his senior season due to an ankle injury. Allen, rated a three-star prospect by Rivals and ESPN, received plenty of offers from Power Five schools throughout the country. The hard-hitting safety would eventually commit to Penn State and have an immediate impact.
Allen began his four-year career with the Nittany Lions as a true freshman and finished his tenure ranked sixth in career tackles. That year, he appeared in all 13 games and finished the season as a starter. As a sophomore, Allen finished with 81 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Allen’s best statistical season came as a junior as he compiled 110 tackles which are the fifth most in school history for a single season. Some of Allen ’s most memorable performances from that year include a career-high 22 tackles against Minnesota and a blocked 45-yard field goal attempt that was returned for the game-winning touchdown in an upset win over Ohio State. Allen earned All-Big Ten honors following his junior and senior season. Over the course of his Nittany Lions career, he tallied nine double-digit tackle games. Allen was selected to play in the Senior Bowl but ended up not playing for an unknown reason.
Strengths
- Plays fearless;
- Excels playing near the line of scrimmage;
- Displays downhill speed;
- Size makes him an ideal option to cover tight ends;
- Relentless force in run support;
- Dependable open-field tackler;
- Big hitter;
- Ability to dislodge the ball from the runner.
Weaknesses
- Liability in coverage and can be exposed;
- Doesn’t anticipate where quarterback throws;
- one interception in four years;
- Struggles in single-high safety role;
- Can occasionally overpursue;
- Struggles moving laterally;
- Can lack awareness diagnosing plays;
- Often flat-footed and out of position.
NFL Comparison: Mike Mitchell
Teams With Need at Position: Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers
Projection: Fourth to fifth round
Bottom Line
With Allen being a productive player throughout college, there will certainly be an opportunity for him at the next level. While he depends on his aggressiveness, it can backfire as he can play out of control at times. Allen ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at Penn State’s Pro Day after not running at the Combine. He is a project player that has some glaring weaknesses that will need some refining. His lack of coverage skills will limit how teams utilize him on passing downs. Look for teams to use Allen down in the box for run support and covering tight ends. After only producing 15 bench press reps at the Combine, there is room for him to improve his strength. Allen could potentially develop into a hybrid linebacker if he puts on more weight. Allen’s punishing style of play makes him an ideal fit to shine on special teams.
