Brandon Allen (American football)

Brandon Allen

Allen with the Broncos in 2019
No. 17 – San Francisco 49ers
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1992-09-05) September 5, 1992 (age 31) Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Fayetteville
College:	Arkansas (2011–2015)
NFL draft:	2016  / Round: 6 / Pick: 201
Career history
Jacksonville Jaguars (2016) Los Angeles Rams (2017–2018) Denver Broncos (2019) Cincinnati Bengals (2020–2022) San Francisco 49ers (2023–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
TD–INT: 10–6 Passing yards: 1,611 Completion percentage: 56.7% Passer rating: 78.0 Rushing yards: 64
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Brandon Duc Allen (born September 5, 1992) is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arkansas and was their starting quarterback from 2013 to 2015. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has also previously been a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Early years

Allen attended Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. ^[1] As a senior, he threw for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns. He was ranked by Rivals.com as the fifth-best pro-style quarterback recruit. ^[2]

College career

Allen was redshirted as a freshman in 2011. In 2012, he was the backup to Tyler Wilson. He appeared in five games and started one game after Wilson missed a game because of injury. ^[3] He finished the season completing 21 of 49 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

In 2013, Allen took over as the starting quarterback. ^{[4] [5]} He passed for 1,552 yards, completing 49.6 percent of his throws, and threw for 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a team that finished 3–9 under first year head coach Bret Bielema.

As a junior in 2014, Allen had 2,285 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was the offensive MVP of the 2014 Texas Bowl, a 31–7 victory against the Texas Longhorns. Allen threw two touchdowns in the game, and Arkansas finished with a 7–6 record. ^[6]

During his senior year in 2015, Allen threw a then-school record six touchdown passes, and ran in the game winning 2 point conversion in a 53–52 overtime win over Ole Miss. ^[7] He broke the record two weeks later with seven touchdowns in a 51–50 loss to Mississippi State. ^{[8] [9]} He also broke Arkansas' record for career passing touchdowns against Mississippi State. ^[10] He finished the year with 3,440 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for a team that finished 8–5, and beat Kansas State in the 2016 Liberty Bowl, 45–23. ^[11]

Allen finished his career with 7,463 passing yards, 64 passing touchdowns, and 26 interceptions. ^[12]

College statistics

Season	Games			Passing								Rushing
	GP	GS	Record	Comp	Att	Pct	Yards	Avg	TD	Int	Rate	Att	Yards	Avg	TD
Arkansas Razorbacks
2011	Redshirt
2012	5	1	0–1	21	49	42.9	186	3.8	1	3	69.2	8	−3	−0.4	0
2013	11	11	3–8	128	258	49.6	1,552	6.0	13	10	109.0	29	29	1.0	1
2014	13	13	7–6	190	339	56.0	2,285	6.7	20	5	129.2	42	0	0.0	2
2015	13	13	8–5	244	370	65.9	3,440	9.3	30	8	166.5	55	110	2.0	1
Career	42	38	18–20	583	1,016	57.4	7,463	7.3	64	26	134.8	134	136	1.0	4

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump
6 ft 1+3⁄8 in (1.86 m)	217 lb (98 kg)	31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m)	8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m)	4.84 s	1.66 s	2.82 s	4.33 s	7.06 s	28.0 in (0.71 m)	9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
All values from the NFL Combine [13] [14]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Allen was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round with the 201st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. ^[15] On May 5, 2016, Allen signed a 4-year $2.48 million contract, which included a $147,687 signing bonus. ^[16] Allen was the Jaguars third-string quarterback his rookie season behind Blake Bortles and Chad Henne. He was waived by the Jaguars on September 3, 2017, following final roster cuts for the 2017 season. ^[17]

Los Angeles Rams

On September 4, 2017, Allen was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams. ^[18] He was inactive for every game of the season as the Rams' third-string quarterback behind Jared Goff and Sean Mannion. He was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2017. ^[19]

On September 18, 2018, Allen was waived by the Rams and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. ^[20]

Allen signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on February 7, 2019. ^[21] On August 30, 2019, Allen was released as part of final roster cuts. ^[22]

Denver Broncos

On September 1, 2019, Allen was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos. ^[23] After an injury to starting quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 8 of the 2019 season, Allen stepped in as the starting quarterback. ^[24] Allen made his first start in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns. In the game, Allen threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the 24–19 win. ^[25]

Cincinnati Bengals

Allen with the Bengals in 2021

On August 1, 2020, Allen was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. ^[26] He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day. ^{[27] [28]} He was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2020, after starting quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury. ^[29] On November 25, 2020, the team announced that Allen would start for the Bengals during their Week 12 game against the New York Giants in place of the injured Joe Burrow. ^[30] In Week 16, against the Houston Texans, he had 371 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 37–31 victory. ^[31] Allen started the final game for the season against the Baltimore Ravens, where he completed six of 21 passes for 48 yards, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 0.0 as the Bengals lost 38–3. ^[32]

On March 10, 2021, Allen signed a one-year contract extension with the Bengals. ^[33]

Allen played his first game of the 2021 season against the Detroit Lions in Week 6. Allen threw a touchdown pass to Auden Tate on his only pass attempt of the game, while taking 3 kneel downs at the end of the game. Allen would appear in the Bengals' next game against the Ravens, recording no stats in the 41–17 victory. In Week 9, with the game out of reach for the Bengals, Allen would go 1 for 2 for 6 yards passing, while rushing once in the 41–16 loss to the Browns. In Week 12, Allen would once again see playing time, this time against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Allen threw an incomplete pass on his only passing attempt, and lost a yard on his only rush attempt of the game. ^[34] Allen started the season finale against the Browns where he threw for 136 yards and a touchdown in the 21–16 loss. ^[35]

Allen re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract on March 18, 2022. ^[36] On August 31, the Bengals cut Allen. ^[37] He re–signed with the Bengals the following day. ^[38] Allen was subbed in at the end of the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers due to the Bengals resting their starters for the majority of the fourth quarter. Allen completed all three of his pass attempts for a total of 22 yards. ^[39]

San Francisco 49ers

On May 8, 2023, Allen was signed by the San Francisco 49ers. ^[40] He served as the team's third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold in 2023.

On March 13, 2024, Allen re-signed with the 49ers. ^[41]

NFL career statistics

Year	Team	Games			Passing								Rushing				Sacks		Fumbles
		GP	GS	Record	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Avg	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Sck	SckY	Fum	Lost
2016	JAX	0	0	—	DNP
2017	LAR	0	0	—
2018	LAR	0	0	—
2019	DEN	3	3	1–2	39	84	46.4	515	6.1	3	2	68.3	10	39	3.9	0	9	59	0	0
2020	CIN	5	5	1–4	90	142	63.4	925	6.5	5	4	82.0	13	27	2.1	0	7	51	1	1
2021	CIN	6	1	0–1	17	34	50.0	149	4.4	2	0	81.6	7	−1	−0.1	0	4	33	1	0
2022	CIN	1	0	—	3	3	100.0	22	7.3	0	0	97.2	3	−1	−0.3	0	1	0	0	0
2023	SF	0	0	—	DNP
Career		15	9	2–7	149	263	56.7	1,611	6.1	10	6	78.0	33	64	1.9	0	21	143	2	1

Personal life

His father, Bobby Allen, is the Razorbacks' director of high school and NFL relations. ^[42] He has a younger brother, Austin Allen, who became the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks after Brandon completed his college eligibility. Austin signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft. ^[43] Brandon Allen graduated in 2014 with a degree in recreation and sport management.

References

1. Andrews, C. Steve (August 29, 2023). "Former Arkansas QB Brandon Allen set for historic eighth NFL season". Razorbacks Wire. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
2. "Brandon Allen, 2011 Pro Style Quarterback, Arkansas". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
3. Hayes, Matt (September 15, 2012). "Tyler Wilson does not start for Arkansas against Alabama". Sporting News. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
4. "Allen taking control at Arkansas as quarterback". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
5. Schwartz, Nick (November 25, 2013). "Arkansas QB's truck egged after losing game to Mississippi State". For The Win. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
6. Autullo, Ryan (December 29, 2014). "Texas Bowl notebook: Arkansas' Allen a surprise MVP". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
7. "Arkansas vs. Ole Miss – Game Summary – November 7, 2015 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
8. "Razorbacks Football: Allen's Big Day Bittersweet". Times Record. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
9. "Mississippi State vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – November 21, 2015 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
10. "Records don't matter now". Arkansas Online. November 22, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
11. "Kansas State vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – January 2, 2016 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
12. "Brandon Allen". Arkansas Razorbacks. May 8, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
13. "Brandon Allen Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
14. "2016 NFL Draft Scout Brandon Allen College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
15. DiRocco, Michael (April 30, 2016). "Jaguars snap defensive draft by taking Arkansas QB Brandon Allen". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
16. "Brandon Allen contract". ESPN.Go.com. May 5, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
17. Patra, Kevin (September 3, 2017). "Jaguars release second-year QB Brandon Allen". NFL.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
18. Simmons, Myles (September 4, 2017). "Rams Claim QB Brandon Allen". TheRams.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
19. Simmons, Myles (December 20, 2017). "Rams Place Allen on IR, Sign Edebali". TheRams.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
20. Simmons, Myles (September 18, 2018). "Rams Waive QB Brandon Allen, Cut Two from Practice Squad". TheRams.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
21. Simmons, Myles (February 7, 2019). "Rams sign two players to free agent contracts". TheRams.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
22. Han, Jamie (August 30, 2019). "Rams make initial roster cuts, 18 players released". TheRams.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
23. DiLalla, Aric (September 1, 2019). "Broncos claim four players off waivers, sign seven players to practice squad". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
24. DiLalla, Aric (October 28, 2019). "Joe Flacco to miss Week 9 game vs. Browns, Brandon Allen to start at quarterback". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
25. "Allen leads Broncos past Browns 24–19 in first NFL start". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
26. "Bengals Sign Two Free Agents". Bengals.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
27. "Bengals Reduce 2020 Roster To 53 Players". Bengals.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
28. "Bengals Establish Practice Squad". Bengals.com. September 6, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
29. "Joe Burrow Placed On Reserve/Injured List; Quinton Spain & Brandon Allen Signed Off The Practice Squad". Bengals.com. November 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
30. Patra, Kevin (November 25, 2020). "Bengals planning to start QB Brandon Allen over Ryan Finley vs. Giants". NFL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
31. "Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – December 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
32. "Bengals' Brandon Allen: Dreadful against Ravens". CBSSports.com. January 3, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
33. "Bengals Re-Sign Quarterback Brandon Allen". Bengals.com. March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
34. "Brandon Allen 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. December 19, 2021. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
35. "Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – January 9th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
36. "Bengals Roster Moves". Bengals.com. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
37. Marcum, Jason (August 31, 2022). "Bengals cut Brandon Allen and sign 13 to practice squad". CincyJungle.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
38. Simmons, Myles (September 2, 2022). "Bengals re-sign Brandon Allen". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
39. "Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals – November 6th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
40. "49ers Sign Quarterback, Defensive Lineman and Tight End to One-Year Deals". 49ers.com. May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
41. "49ers Release Arik Armstead, Re-Sign Quarterback and Other Moves". 49ers.com. March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
42. Jones, Matt (December 22, 2012). "Longtime assistant Allen reassigned to high school relations director". Arkansas Online. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
43. Auman, Greg (May 28, 2018). "Bucs paid over $250,000 guaranteed to 2018 undrafted rookies". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 12, 2023.^{[ permanent dead link ]}

External links

• San Francisco 49ers bio
• Arkansas Razorbacks bio