Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1400830
6 2 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State landed a rare commitment from Louisiana when three-star cornerback Jordan Allen of Lafay- ette Christian Academy announced for the Nittany Lions on July 17. The most re- cent PSU scholarship player to come from the Bayou State was linebacker Michael Mauti, who signed with the Lions in 2008. A 6-foot, 180-pound prospect, Al- len was one of the team's top remaining targets on defense, and future position coach Terry Smith pushed hard for his pledge. "One thing about them is that they've always kept it real," Allen previously told BWI. "They never hide anything. Any question I have, they let me know what it is. Everything is uncut, which I like. I never appreciate coaches lying to me and lead- ing me on and stuff like that. They always let me know what it is. The feel for their coaching staff has been a real plus for me." Nearly 40 teams were in the hunt at one point or another for Allen, who is Rivals.com's No. 42 cornerback. Miami and Louisville were in the mix, too, and received official visits. Georgia, Missis- sippi and Tennessee were also in his top six, which he announced in early April. A family matter kept the talented de- fender from visiting Penn State during the June visit window — he had been scheduled to visit June 18-20 — but his trust in the coaching staff put to rest any fears he might have had about not seeing campus. "I've been watching different videos that they've sent me. I just do a lot of that on my own, too," Allen said. "I've been researching the history of the school and watching videos of their facilities, videos of the atmosphere at their stadium." Allen picking the Lions sight unseen is yet another example of how well the program transitioned from in-person re- cruiting to all-virtual dealings with pros- pects during the NCAA's extended dead period. It was certainly a challenge but can only help coach James Franklin's pro- gram moving forward. As for what fans can expect from Allen, Rivals.com recruiting analyst Sam Spie- gelman sees a physical player who could contribute in a variety of ways. "Allen is a versatile defensive back with a game driven by physicality," Spiegelman said. "He plays cornerback for four-time state champions Lafayette Christian and was a major part of the team's run toward a title in 2020, which included his most notable efforts slowing down four-star wide receiver A.J. Johnson by pressing him at the line of scrimmage and shad- owing him all over the field. "Allen could be a zone corner at Penn State or find a fit at safety. He isn't shy about lowering his shoulder and punish- ing receivers in the middle of the field or those who catch passes in front of him. He's diligent against the run and could thrive as a freelancer on the back end of the defense in the Big Ten." ■ He may not have the class's highest ranking, but three-star defensive back Jordan Allen re- ceived offers from around 40 schools across the country. He chose Penn State over Georgia, Lou- isville, Miami, Mississippi and Tennessee. Let's take a look at what makes Allen such a great fit in the Lions' class, despite limited space. STRENGTHS Tackling: Allen really likes to hit people. He's not just a good tackler for a cornerback, but rather a good tackler in general. He arrives with square shoulders and has force behind his hits while wrapping up and securing the ball carrier. Press coverage: Allen spends a lot of time nose-to-nose with opposing receivers. He does a good job of not just getting his hands on a re- ceiver, but intentionally redirecting their route to the sideline by cutting off the inside. Confidence: This is not a skill or a trait that I would normally highlight, but it's very apparent that Allen believes in his skills. He roams the field like a seasoned veteran and does not back down from any receiver or challenge. AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT Athleticism: Allen can mostly likely hang at cor- nerback from an athletic standpoint, but it's not a sure thing. He certainly won't be able to coast on athleticism alone at the next level like some players. Some schools most likely cooled on him after he ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash paired with a 7.80 three-cone drill and sub-30-inch verti- cal jump. Overagressiveness: The downside of being a press coverage corner is that when you miss, it can be ugly. There aren't many times, but Allen lunges at receivers and will get off-balance trying to jam players at the line of scrimmage. His bal- ance while at the point of contact could stand to improve from a consistency standpoint. Recovery speed: If Allen is beaten, he doesn't have the burst to recover and get back into the play. Whether it's out of his cut or turning and running after the receiver has beaten his jam, Al- len is at a disadvantage when he's not in control of the rep. PROJECTION Cornerback: The longer you watch Allen, the more he puts the fears to rest and shows you that he can play cornerback in college football. He may not be the fastest or the most explosive, but he just wins. Field safety: At 6-foot, 180 pounds, he's an excellent field safety candidate. His skills as a cornerback are undeniable and would make him a great hybrid player going forward. His football instincts, tackling ability and flexibility to cover in single coverage could make him a breakout player on the back end of the Penn State de- fense. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N DB Will Be Rare Nittany Lion From Louisiana G R E G P I C K E L | G P I C 9 2 @ G M A I L . C O M Rivals has Allen ranked as the No. 21 player in the talent- rich state of Louisiana. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM COMMITMENT PROFILE JORDAN ALLEN