Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/260491
campus in June, it's likely that he will have
an opportunity to contribute right away.
The Lions lack depth at both the free safety
and strong safety positions, with only three
scholarship players – senior Ryan Keiser,
redshirt sophomore Malik Golden and red-
shirt freshman Kasey Gaines – set to take
part in spring practice. Allen has the size
and speed to play either safety spot. He
could also make a di:erence on the kick-
coverage units, which is another reason
why I don't expect him to be redshirted.
MARK
ALLEN
RB, 5-7, 190
Hyattsville, Md.
DeMatha HS
WHAT HE DID Allen was the 9rst prospect
to join Penn State's Class of 2014, selecting
the Nittany Lions midway through his
junior year. Shortly a;er announcing his
decision on Oct. 16 of that year, Allen in-
jured his knee and missed the remainder
of the 2012 season. Still recovering from
surgery, he was limited as a senior, too.
During his 9nal two seasons, he averaged
5.57 yards per carry for 780 total yards
and one touchdown. He reportedly ran a
4.43-second 40-yard dash at Penn State's
camp before his junior season.
WHAT HE WON Allen was originally rated a
three-star prospect by Rivals.com but
was downgraded to two stars following
his senior season.
WHERE HE VISITED Because Allen committed
so early in the recruiting process, he didn't
visit many other schools. He received in-
terest from Maryland, Clemson and Miami,
but those schools never came through
with o:ers. The only other scholarship
o:er he received was from Temple. When
Penn State made its pitch, he committed
on the spot, and he has visited University
Park many times since.
WHO OPENED THE DOOR Long before Larry
Johnson took a job coaching defensive
linemen at Ohio State, he convinced Allen
that Penn State was the best 9t for him.
Former running backs coach Charles Lon-
don also played a role in Allen's recruit-
ment.
QUOTABLE Allen: "With me being a running
back, and seeing what [Penn State has]
done over the years running the ball, I
thought that would always be a good 9t
for me. I think if I go there, I have a chance
to get the ball a lot. Also, my good friend
Brent [Wilkerson] goes there, and he's
been telling me about Penn State forev-
er."
PHIL'S TAKE Allen is small, but he runs
with surprising power between the tackles.
He is able to hide behind blockers at the
l
D
espite being the eldest member of
Penn State's Class of 2014, Tarow
Barney has only played three sea-
sons of organized football. But –
from one season of high school ball
to junior college in Mississippi, from
the o;ce of Nick Saban to signing a
Penn State letter of intent – Barney
has certainly grown during those
three years.
He 9rst put on the pads for his sen-
ior season at Bainbridge (Ga.) High
and quickly proved himself to be one
of the best players on the team. Play-
ing all across the defensive line, he
tallied 55 tackles, six sacks and two
forced fumbles while earning all-re-
gion honors. Given his production
and 250-pound, 6-foot-plus frame,
Barney had some Division I looks
following his senior year, and even
though he earned no o:ers, the fact
that he was receiving interest from
colleges encouraged him to stick
with the sport. He secured a roster
spot at Northwest Mississippi Com-
munity College a