Will Allen (safety)

Last updated

Will Allen
Will Allen (safety).JPG
Allen with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012
No. 26, 20, 37
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1982-06-17) June 17, 1982 (age 42)
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school: Huber Heights (OH) Wayne
College: Ohio State
NFL draft: 2004  / Round: 4 / Pick: 111
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:416
Sacks:4.0
Forced fumbles:7
Fumble recoveries:6
Interceptions:7
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Will Allen (born June 17, 1982) is an American former professional football safety. Allen played college football for Ohio State University, and was selected for the All-American team. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Contents

Early life

Allen was born in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, and played high school football for the Wayne Warriors. He was a member of Wayne High School's 1999 Division I State Runner-Up team, along with fellow Ohio State recruit John Hollins. His high school jersey number, #4, is the only number that has been officially retired by Wayne High School. Allen was named all-Ohio Division I first team by the Associated Press for his senior season. He was rated as the 4th defensive back prospect and the 27th overall prospect in the Midwest by Super Prep, and rated as the 53rd defensive back prospect in the country by Rivals100.com.

College career

Allen received an athletic scholarship to attend Ohio State University, where he was a four-year letterman for coach Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 2000 to 2003. As a senior in 2003, he was a first-team All-American selection by consensus. In his first three seasons at Ohio State, he played behind three-time All-American Mike Doss, primarily in nickel coverage on passing downs.

Allen is remembered among college football fans for two plays made during the 2002 BCS National Championship season. The first occurred during the 2002 Ohio State-Michigan game, when he intercepted a pass from Michigan quarterback John Navarre during the closing seconds to preserve the 14–9 victory and an undefeated regular season. The second play was one game later in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl for the national championship game. In the second half, Allen tackled Miami running back Willis McGahee and delivered a shoulder blow to his left knee. McGahee had to be helped off the field; he suffered ligament damage and was forced to miss his entire rookie year in the National Football League.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+12 in
(1.84 m)
202 lb
(92 kg)
31+78 in
(0.81 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
4.58 s4.25 s7.06 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)
9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [1]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Allen during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will Allen interception cropped.jpg
Allen during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Allen played in every game in his rookie year on special teams but saw increasing time as a safety in the final weeks of the season. He made his first NFL interception against the Carolina Panthers and his first touchdown in week 6 of the following season against the Miami Dolphins. He started eight games in 2005, playing both free safety and strong safety due to injuries to Jermaine Phillips and Dexter Jackson.

Allen's most noted contribution in his NFL career occurred against the Green Bay Packers in 2005, when he intercepted Packers quarterback Brett Favre twice in the fourth quarter. Buccaneers starting safety, Dexter Jackson, had been injured midway through the second quarter with a hamstring strain, and Allen came into the game as a substitute. Allen was the Buccaneers' special teams captain in 2008. He was the first alternate for the National Football League Special Teams for the 2009 Pro Bowl. He was re-signed to a 1-year $2.35 million contract on February 28, 2009.

Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)

On March 8, 2010, Allen signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On November 9, 2012, Allen was fined $7,875 for a late hit against New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz in Week 9. [2]

Dallas Cowboys

On March 27, 2013, Allen signed a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Dallas Cowboys. The deal included a $65,000 signing bonus. [3] He was released on October 8, 2013.

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)

Allen returned to the Steelers in October 2013. He signed a 1-year $1,020,000 contract, then another $1,050,000 contract with the Steelers the following year. [4]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2004 TAM 160161420.00100021000
2005 TAM 1384934150.02326026401331
2006 TAM 16167756210.03000010000
2007 TAM 150191720.00000000200
2008 TAM 160201550.00000001100
2009 TAM 82201640.00000010000
2010 PIT 140121110.00000000100
2011 PIT 1609630.00000000000
2012 PIT 1673520150.00000031000
2013 DAL 529540.0011301330000
PIT 120342590.02127027111490
2014 PIT 1643622140.02000001000
2015 PIT 13138062184.0512002082000
176524163031134.0147860272376821

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2005 TAM 101010.00000000000
2007 TAM 101100.00000000000
2010 PIT 201100.00000000000
2011 PIT 100000.00000000000
2014 PIT 100000.00000000000
2015 PIT 229900.03000010000
176524163031134.0147860272376821

The Will Allen Foundation

The Will Allen Foundation was created in May 2008 with the goal to inspire youth in under-resourced communities to succeed by providing necessary tools. [5] It mainly operates in Dayton, Ohio; Tampa, Florida [ citation needed ]; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The foundation's Quest for Real Life Success program aims to provide students with real life experience and expose them to new opportunities. [6] [7]

Related Research Articles

Darren Ray Woodson is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) from 1992 to 2003. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft with the 37th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Woodson</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Roderick Kevin Woodson is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, Woodson holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player, and interceptions returned for touchdown (12). He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

Robert Vinson Smith, is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates. Smith played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. He won Super Bowl XXVII with Dallas over the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Gradkowski</span> American football player (born 1983)

Bruce Raymond Gradkowski is a former American football quarterback and current offensive coordinator for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Toledo. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Gradkowski was also a member of the St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. His younger brother, Gino, is a former NFL center.

Thomas Gregory Everett is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football for the Baylor Bears, where he won the Jim Thorpe Award. He won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys, both over the Buffalo Bills.

Jeffrey Scott Case is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was a member of Dallas' Super Bowl XXX champion team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Church</span> American football player (born 1988)

Barry Michael Church is a former American football safety. He played college football at the University of Toledo and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Church also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylon Smith</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jaylon Smith is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. J. Wilcox</span> American football player (born 1991)

James Edward "J. J." Wilcox, Jr. is a former American football safety. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at Georgia Southern University. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Cockrell</span> American football player (born August 6th 1991)

Ross Cockrell is a former American football cornerback. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Duke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Jones (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Byron Philip Jones is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UConn Huskies, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft after a stellar combine performance. He holds the unofficial world record for the standing long jump at 12 feet 3 inches. He played five seasons for the Cowboys, where he was once named Second-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl. A free agent after his fifth season, Jones signed a five-year, $82 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Dallas Cowboys season</span> 57th season in franchise history; last season for Tony Romo

The 2016 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 57th season in the National Football League (NFL), the eighth playing their home games at AT&T Stadium and the 6th full season under head coach Jason Garrett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keanu Neal</span> American football player (born 1995)

Keanu Neal is an American football safety who is a free agent. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minkah Fitzpatrick</span> American football player (born 1996)

Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft before being traded to the Steelers during the 2019 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malik Hooker</span> American football player (born 1996)

Malik Hooker is an American football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. While at Ohio State, Hooker was named a unanimous All-American in 2016 and won the 2015 CFP national championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damontae Kazee</span> American football player (born 1993)

Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Allen (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Marcus Deshawn Allen is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Penn State. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzel Ward</span> American football player (born 1997)

Denzel Nehemiah Ward is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Whitehead</span> American football player (born 1997)

Jordan Tyler Whitehead is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. J. Stewart</span> American football player (born 1995)

Marvin Stewart Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft, and has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns.

References

  1. "2004 NFL Draft Scout Will Allen College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  2. "Fines roundup: Michael Vick of Eagles docked for low block". National Football League. November 9, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  3. Sharp, Nick (March 27, 2013). "Dallas Cowboys Will Sign Free Agent S Will Allen". Dallas Cowboys 101. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  4. Gantt, Darin (October 10, 2013). "Steelers bring back veteran safety Will Allen". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  5. "Our Purpose & Programs". Will Allen Foundation. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  6. "The Quest Program @ the Will Allen Foundation". Will Allen Foundation. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  7. "Small and Mighty: Will Allen Foundation". The Pittsburgh Foundation. April 15, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2023.