Dakota Allen
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Dakota Allen
| image = 2018-0716-Big12MD-DakotaAllen.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Allen at 2018 Big 12 Media Days
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|11|2}}
| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 232
| high_school = Summer Creek {{nowrap|(Houston, Texas)}}
| college = Texas Tech (2015, 2017–2018)
East Mississippi CC (2016)
| draftyear = 2019
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 251
| pastteams =
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2022}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 30
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 =
| pfr = A/AlleDa01
}}
Dakota Devon Allen (born November 2, 1995) is an American former professional football linebacker who played four seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He also played junior college football for the East Mississippi Lions. Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Early life
Allen was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Humble, Texas. He attended Summer Creek High School and was a standout football player for the Bulldogs. As a senior, he recorded 112 tackles and three interceptions and was named the Defensive MVP of District 19-4A. He committed to play college football at Texas Tech over offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Kansas State, and Iowa State.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Aaron |date=April 21, 2019 |title=Texas Tech LB Dakota Allen hopes NFL draft is next stop on road to redemption|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texas-Tech-LB-Dakota-Allen-hopes-NFL-draft-is-13784376.php |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=Houston Chronicle}}
College career
Allen began his collegiate career at Texas Tech University, redshirting his freshman season. As a redshirt freshman, Allen was the second-leading tackler with 87 stops for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. After the end of the season, he was charged with second-degree burglary along with two teammates and ultimately expelled from Texas Tech. All charges were eventually dropped against Allen after agreeing to enter a pre-trial diversionary program.{{Cite web |last1=Monte |first1=Gabriel |last2=Sigler |first2=Jordan |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Attorneys: All charges to be dropped against former Texas Tech linebacker, 2 teammates |url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-08-01/attorneys-all-charges-be-dropped-against-former-texas-tech-linebacker-2 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=LubbockOnline.com |publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal}}
Following his dismissal, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College. While at East Mississippi, he was featured in the second season of the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U, where he played under head coach Buddy Stephens. Allen recorded a team leading 117 tackles with two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five pass breakups. Despite success on the field early in the season, he only originally received scholarship offers from Bowling Green and Troy due to his previous arrest.{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=February 12, 2019 |title=How LB Dakota Allen turned 'Last Chance' into redemption |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001017663/article/how-lb-dakota-allen-turned-last-chance-into-redemption |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212185159/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001017663/article/how-lb-dakota-allen-turned-last-chance-into-redemption |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |access-date=August 26, 2019 |website=NFL.com}} Allen later received offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Marshall, but opted to return to Texas Tech to finish his collegiate career.{{Cite magazine |last=Poe |first=Julia |date=July 20, 2018 |title=Where the Stars of Last Chance U Ended Up for the 2018 Season |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/07/20/last-chance-u-players-season-3-where-are-they-now |access-date=January 28, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite web |last=Cornaglia |first=Andrea |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Roster countdown #2: Dakota Allen |url=https://www.vivathematadors.com/2017/7/27/16036390/roster-countdown-2-dakota-allen-texas-tech-football-roster-top15-top5-top3 |access-date=August 26, 2019 |website=VivaTheMatadors.com |publisher=SB Nation}}
Allen had a breakout junior season in 2017, with 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six forced turnovers. He was subsequently named to the All-Big 12 Conference by Pro Football Focus and to the second-team All-Big 12 by coaches and media.{{Cite web |last=Shore |first=Albie |date=December 21, 2017 |title=2017 Tech football rankings: No. 1 Dakota Allen |url=https://www.vivathematadors.com/2017/12/21/16806218/2017-tech-football-rankings-no-1-dakota-allen-emcc-last-chance-u |access-date=April 27, 2019 |website=vivathematadors.com}} As a senior, Allen made 73 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and was named first-team All-Big 12.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=April 27, 2019 |title=Netflix's 'Last Chance U' star Dakota Allen will continue his journey with Rams|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-nfl-draft-20190427-story.html |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 3/4
| weight = 232
| dash = 4.77
| ten split = 1.67
| twenty split = 2.77
| shuttle = 4.04
| cone drill = 6.88
| vertical = 34.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 11
| bench = 23
| Wonderlic =
| arm span = 31 1/4
| hand span = 9 1/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Prospect Profile – Dakota Allen |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dakota-allen?id=3219414c-4c09-4160-356e-d20a0a6b147d |access-date=April 30, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Dakota Allen, DS #25 ILB, Texas Tech : 2019 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |url=http://www.draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131569&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=April 30, 2019 |website=NFLDraftScout.com}}
}}
=Los Angeles Rams (first stint)=
Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |date=April 27, 2019 |title=Rams select LB Dakota Allen with their final pick of 2019 NFL draft |url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/27/rams-select-lb-dakota-allen-with-their-final-pick-of-2019-nfl-draft/ |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=TheRamsWire.com |publisher=USA Today}} Allen signed a four-year $2,594,288 contract with a signing bonus of $74,288 on June 7, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=June 7, 2019 |title=Rams Sign Two Draft Picks |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/rams-sign-two-draft-picks/ |access-date=September 19, 2019 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co}} He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, but was signed to the practice squad the following day.{{Cite web |last=Han |first=Jamie |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Rams trim roster down to 53 players |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-trim-roster-down-to-53-players |access-date=August 31, 2019 |website=TheRams.com}}{{Cite web |last=Han |first=Jamie |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Rams sign 10 practice squad players |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-sign-10-practice-squad-players |access-date=September 1, 2019 |website=TheRams.com}}
=Oakland Raiders=
On September 24, 2019, Allen was signed by the Oakland Raiders off the Rams practice squad.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Raiders sign Allen; place Lee on IR |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-allen-place-lee-on-ir |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Raiders.com}} Allen made his NFL debut on October 6 against the Chicago Bears, playing eight snaps on special teams.{{Cite web |last=Schrock |first=Josh |date=October 7, 2019 |title=Raiders snap count: Foster Moreau shines in statement win vs. Bears |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/raiders-snap-count-foster-moreau-shines-statement-win-vs-bears |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=NBC Bay Area}} He was waived on October 30 after appearing in two games for the Raiders.{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2019 |title=Raiders sign trio of players to the active roster |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-trio-of-players-to-the-active-roster |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Raiders.com}}
=Los Angeles Rams (second stint)=
On November 4, 2019, Allen was signed to the Rams practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=September 1, 2019 |title=John Wolford and Dakota Allen among players signed to Rams' practice squad |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-09-01/john-wolford-dakota-allen-signed-rams-practice-squad |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
On December 10, 2019, Allen was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars off the Rams practice squad.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Jaguars sign LB Dakota Allen and C Tyler Gauthier |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-lb-dakota-allen-and-c-tyler-gauthier |access-date=December 10, 2019 |website=Jaguars.com}} After appearing mostly in the field goal defense. Allen replaced starter Myles Jack in week 4 of the 2020 NFL season during the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |last=DiRocco |first=Mike |date=October 4, 2020 |title=Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback CJ Henderson (shoulder) done for the day |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30039582/jacksonville-jaguars-rookie-cornerback-cj-henderson-shoulder-done-day |access-date=October 5, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} In 2020, Allen played in 13 games with the Jaguars, he started two and played mostly on special teams. He has 14 tackles (nine solo), four special teams tackles and three loss tackles this season.
Allen signed an exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Jaguars on April 15, 2021.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April |url=https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/2021/4 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}
=Cleveland Browns=
On June 21, 2022, Allen signed with the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title=Browns sign LB Dakota Allen |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-lb-dakota-allen |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} Allen was waived by the Browns on August 30.{{Cite web |last=Poisal |first=Anthony |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2022 season |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-initial-53-man-roster-heading-into-2022-season |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} The Browns signed Allen to their practice squad on August 31.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Browns claim QB Kellen Mond, announce 12 practice squad members |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-claim-qb-kellen-mond-announce-12-practice-squad-members |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} He was signed to the active roster on October 15.{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2022 |title=Browns activate CB Greedy Williams, sign LB Dakota Allen to active roster, elevate two from practice squad |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-activate-cb-greedy-williams-sign-lb-dakota-allen-to-active-roster-elevate |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} He was waived three days later.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Browns waive Dakota Allen |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/10/18/browns-waive-dakota-allen/ |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}}
=Denver Broncos=
On November 22, 2022, Allen was signed by the Denver Broncos off the Browns practice squad.{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Broncos sign LB Dakota Allen off Browns' practice squad, place RB Chase Edmonds on injured reserve |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-lb-dakota-allen-off-browns-practice-squad-place-rb-chase-edmonds-on |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com}} On December 19, Allen was placed on season–ending injured reserve.{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Charean | title=Broncos sign Christian DiLauro to active roster; place Dakota Allen on IR | website=NBC Sports | date=2022-12-19 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/broncos-sign-christian-dilauro-to-active-roster-place-dakota-allen-on-ir | access-date=2025-01-23}} He became a free agent after the 2022 season.
Personal life
Allen is the son of Stacey Hawkins and Keith Allen. His father played collegiate football as a running back at the University of Texas at Austin.{{cite web |title=Dakota Allen - Football |url=https://texastech.com/sports/football/roster/dakota-allen/5424 |website=Texas Tech Red Raiders |access-date=31 October 2024 |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://texastech.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5424 Texas Tech Red Raiders bio]
{{Rams2019DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Dakota}}
Category:Sportspeople from Humble, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Harris County, Texas
Category:American football linebackers
Category:East Mississippi Lions football players
Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders football players
Category:Los Angeles Rams players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players