Josh Hines-Allen

Hines-Allen was born on July 13, 1997, to Kim and Robert Allen in Cumberland County, Virginia.{{Cite tweet|number=1017755524111069184|user=UKFootball|title=Happy Birthday @JoshAllen41_ 🎂! #WeAreUK|date=July 13, 2018}} He has a twin brother, Isaiah, and four older sisters. Due to a stutter, he spent part of his studies in New Jersey's special education system. Hines-Allen then went to live with his relatives in Alabama, attending Abbeville High School. He was later diagnosed with ADHD.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jennifer |date=July 13, 2018 |title='Nothing ever comes easy.' That lesson has forged a potential UK superstar. |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article214744765.html |access-date=October 22, 2024 |newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader}}

Although Hines-Allen grew up playing basketball, his uncle convinced him to try out for the high school football team. In his freshman year, he did not play a single snap in a game. In his sophomore year, he started as a varsity receiver, and in his junior year, he was an all-state receiver with 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hines-Allen decided to return to New Jersey for his senior year, attending Montclair High School. He switched position from receiver to defensive end, affecting his recruiting opportunities. During his sole season with the Mounties, Hines-Allen led the state in sacks that year and recorded a touchdown catch, as the team finished 11–1 and won the 2014 state title (after losing their first and only game of the season to Pascack Valley). After high school, Hines-Allen first committed to Monmouth, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school not far from Montclair, but later received an offer from Kentucky.{{cite news|title=Under-the-radar New Jersey defensive end Josh Allen commits to Kentucky|author=Roberts, Ben|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article44550714.html|date=January 31, 2015|access-date=April 6, 2018|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader}}

Despite Hines-Allen leading New Jersey in sacks as a senior, he was still very much under the recruiting radar. Four highly rated recruits who went on to become NFL players—Jabrill Peppers, Quenton Nelson, David Njoku, and Mike Gesicki—were fellow high school seniors in New Jersey. The recruiting website 247Sports rated Hines-Allen as a two-star prospect (out of a possible five), and ranked more than 2,000 players in the 2015 recruiting class ahead of him. John Fiore, at the time head coach at Montclair High, actively tried to get Rutgers to evaluate him, but the coaching staff there showed no interest. In a 2019 ESPN story on Hines-Allen, Fiore said about Rutgers' lack of interest, "Some people just couldn't see the potential in him. Kentucky did, and they won big. I told Rutgers, 'You guys are going to look foolish when he's drafted in the first round.'" In fact, when Hines-Allen made his verbal commitment to Monmouth, no Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school had offered him a scholarship, and no other NCAA Division I school, whether FBS or FCS, had made him an offer.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2019/story/_/id/26437828/two-star-potential-superstar-josh-allen-wants-next-khalil-mack |title=Two-star to potential superstar: Josh Allen wants to be next Khalil Mack |first=Rich |last=Cimini |website=ESPN.com |date=April 8, 2019 |access-date=April 8, 2019}}

Hines-Allen's journey to Kentucky began with West Orange High School head coach Jim Matsakis, whose team had faced Montclair High in his senior year. Matsakis made a phone call to his brother Louie, who was then on the Wildcats coaching staff. Louie first contacted D. J. Eliot, then Kentucky's outside linebackers coach, who in turn contacted the then-defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley while the latter was on a recruiting trip in the Washington metropolitan area. Eliot told Ansley to detour to New Jersey to meet with Hines-Allen and arrange for an immediate campus visit if he was at least 6'4". While he had verbally committed to Monmouth, Hines-Allen was still available for recruitment as he had yet to sign a letter of intent. Hines-Allen visited Kentucky and signed with the Wildcats three days later.

Following his junior season in which he had 7 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, Hines-Allen was named to the Associated Press Second-team and the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) team.{{Cite web |last=Chisenhall |first=Jeremy |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Benny Snell, Josh Allen make AP All-SEC teams |url=https://www.aseaofblue.com/2017/12/4/16735380/kentucky-football-benny-snell-josh-allen-ap-all-sec-teams |access-date=April 6, 2018 |website=A Sea of Blue|publisher=SB Nation}} After this season, Hines-Allen considered forgoing his senior year and declaring for the 2018 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Josh Allen, Mike Edwards considering leaving Kentucky football program for NFL draft|author=Hale, Jon|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2017/12/09/josh-allen-mike-edwards-considering-leaving-kentucky-football-program-nfl-draft/937626001/|date=December 9, 2017|access-date=April 6, 2018|work=Courier Journal}} He later decided to return to Kentucky for his senior season.{{cite web|title=Kentucky football linebacker Josh Allen returning to UK for senior season, not entering NFL draft|author=Hale, Jon|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2018/01/08/josh-allen-kentucky-football-nfl-draft-announcement/995764001/|work=Courier Journal|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=April 6, 2018}} He also dropped into coverage on 141 snaps and allowed just 130 yards on 19 targets without allowing a touchdown. Hines-Allen was a unanimous All-American, won the Chuck Bednarik Award,{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Kentucky's Josh Allen Wins 2018 Bednarik Award as Top Defensive Player |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2809447-clemsons-christian-wilkins-wins-2018-bednarik-award-as-top-defensive-player |access-date=December 6, 2018 |website=Bleacher Report}} the Bronko Nagurski Trophy,{{cite web |date=December 4, 2018 |title=Josh Allen wins Bronko Nagurski Award |url=https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Josh-Allen-wins-Bronko-Nagurski-Trophy-501842251.html |website=wkyt.com|access-date=December 4, 2018}} and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.{{cite web | last=Hale | first=Jon | title=Kentucky Football: Josh Allen, Mark Stoops win SEC awards | website=Courier-Journal | date=December 3, 2018 | url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2018/12/03/kentucky-football-josh-allen-mark-stoops-win-sec-awards/2192671002/ | access-date=October 22, 2024}}{{Cite web|title=Josh Allen wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year|author=Pilgram, Jack|url=http://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/josh-allen-wins-bronko-nagurski-trophy-for-defensive-player-of-the-year/|website=Kentucky Sports Radio|date=December 3, 2018}} Allen finished his career as Kentucky's all-time sack leader with 31.5.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Josh-Allen-sets-new-Kentucky-record-with-275-career-sacks-500757871.html|title=Josh Allen sets new Kentucky record with 27.5 career sacks|publisher=WKYT|date=November 17, 2018|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501033249/https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Josh-Allen-sets-new-Kentucky-record-with-275-career-sacks-500757871.html|url-status=dead}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 4 7/8

| weight = 262

| dash = 4.63

| ten split = 1.57

| twenty split = 2.70

| shuttle = 4.23

| cone drill = 7.15

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 10

| bench = 28

| arm span = 33 1/2

| hand span = 8 3/4

| wonderlic = 15

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Josh Allen Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/josh-allen/3200414c-4c52-8759-5d19-904fa0fc8823 |access-date=August 19, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Josh Allen College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1015902&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

File:Allen Atkins and Casey.png and Geno Atkins at the 2020 Pro Bowl ]]

Hines-Allen was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Bergman |first=Jeremy |date=April 25, 2019 |title=Jaguars select pass rusher Josh Allen with No. 7 pick |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jaguars-select-pass-rusher-josh-allen-with-no-7-pick-0ap3000001028043 |access-date=April 26, 2019 |website=NFL.com |language=en}} On May 23, 2019, Hines-Allen signed his four-year rookie contract, worth a fully guaranteed $21.8 million, including a $14.6 million signing bonus.{{cite web | last=Reid | first=John | title=Josh Allen signs rookie contract after being held out of OTA work with bruised knee | website=Florida Times-Union | date=May 23, 2019 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/05/23/josh-allen-signs-rookie-contract-after-being-held-out-of-ota-work-with-bruised-knee/5078705007/ | access-date=October 17, 2024}}

During Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, Hines-Allen recorded his first two career sacks on Marcus Mariota as the Jaguars won 20–7.{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Minshew, defense shine as Jaguars thump Titans 20-7 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127859 |access-date=September 19, 2019 |website=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}} Two weeks later against the Carolina Panthers, he sacked Kyle Allen once in the 34–27 road loss.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2019 |title=McCaffrey scores 3 TDs, Panthers hold off Jaguars 34-27 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127932 |access-date=October 6, 2019 |website=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}} During Week 8 against the New York Jets, Hines-Allen sacked Sam Darnold twice in the 29–15 win.{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2019 |title=Jets' Darnold throws 3 more picks in 29-15 loss at Jaguars |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128045 |access-date=October 27, 2019 |website=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}}

Hines-Allen finished the season with a team-leading (and franchise rookie record-setting) 10.5 sacks, 44 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Following the AFC Championship Game, he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate for defensive end Frank Clark. As a result, Hines-Allen became the first Jaguars player in history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in their rookie season. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2019.htm |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football, Hines-Allen recorded his first sack of the season during the 31–13 loss.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 24th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009240jax.htm |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On November 24, 2020, Allen was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.{{Cite web |last=Acosta |first=J. P. |date=November 25, 2020 |title=Josh Allen among three defenders placed on IR |url=https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2020/11/25/21717679/josh-allen-among-three-jaguars-defenders-placed-on-ir |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Big Cat Country |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}

In Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, Hines-Allen helped lead the Jaguars to a 9–6 upset with a career game. Hines-Allen had eight tackles, a sack, an interception, and a fumble recovery on Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Hines-Allen was known as Josh Allen at the time and became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, interception, and a fumble recovery from a quarterback with the same name.{{Cite web |last=DiRocco |first=Michael |date=November 7, 2021 |title=Jacksonville Jaguars' Josh Allen sacks, intercepts Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32576331/bizarre-moment-nfl-history-jacksonville-jaguars-josh-allen-sacks-buffalo-bills-josh-allen |access-date=November 8, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

The Jaguars picked up the fifth-year option on Hines-Allen's contract on April 28, 2022.{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2022 |title=Fifth-year option tracker for first-round picks from the 2019 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/fifth-year-option-tracker-for-first-round-picks-from-the-2019-nfl-draft |website=NFL.com}}

In the team's final regular-season game, Hines-Allen scored the game-winning touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Titans, securing the Jaguars their first division title and playoff berth since 2017.{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Nick |date=January 7, 2023 |title=See Jacksonville Jaguars take lead on Joshua Dobbs strip sack, Josh Allen fumble return TD |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2023/01/08/josh-allen-touchdown-jacksonville-jaugars-tennessee-titans-game-afc-south/69787978007/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=2023-01-07 |title=Jaguars win AFC South by beating Titans 20-16 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jaguars-win-afc-south-by-beating-titans-20-16 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} He was named AFC Defensive Player Of The Week for his performance.{{cite news |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/josh-allen-named-afc-defensive-135811977.html |title=Josh Allen named the AFC defensive player of the week |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=January 11, 2023 |first=Josh |last=Alper |website=yahoo.com}}

In Week 1, Hines-Allen started the year with three sacks against the Indianapolis Colts, helping secure a 31–21 win for the Jaguars.{{cite web | last=Oehser | first=John | title=Jaguars Josh Allen Shines with Three Sacks in 31-21 Victory Over Colts | website=Jaguars.com | date=September 11, 2023 | url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/josh-allen-shines-with-three-sacks-in-colts-victory-2023 | access-date=October 17, 2024}} In Week 12, Hines-Allen recorded 2.5 sacks, five tackles, including two for a loss in a 24–21 win over the Houston Texans, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.{{cite web|title=Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Rams RB Kyren Williams highlight Players of the Week|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-rams-rb-kyren-williams-highlight-players-of-the-week|author=Gordon, Grant|website=NFL.com|date=November 29, 2023}}

Hines-Allen finished the season with 17.5 sacks, a career-high and franchise record for most sacks in a season,{{Cite web |title=Most Sacks In A Season In Jaguars History |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-sacks-in-a-season-in-jaguars-history |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} and was named to the 2024 Pro Bowl.{{cite web | title=2024 Pro Bowl: Josh Allen, Ross Matiscik Named | website=Jaguars.com | date=January 4, 2024 | url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/2024-pro-bowl-josh-allen-ross-matiscik-named | access-date=October 17, 2024}}

On March 5, 2024, the Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Hines-Allen.{{Cite web |last=Oehser |first=John |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Official: Jaguars Place Franchise Tag on Josh Allen |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-jaguars-place-franchise-tag-on-josh-allen |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Jaguars.com}} On April 10, 2024, the Jaguars signed Hines-Allen to a five-year extension worth $150 million, including $88 million guaranteed.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=April 10, 2024 |title=Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen agrees to new five-year, $150 million deal |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jaguars-signing-pass-rusher-josh-allen-to-five-year-150-million-deal |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}

• Most sacks by a rookie in a season: 10.5 (2019)
• First rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl (2019){{Cite web |last=Reid |first=John |date=January 25, 2020 |title=Jaguars rookie DE Josh Allen enjoying first Pro Bowl experience |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/01/25/jaguars-rookie-de-josh-allen-enjoying-first-pro-bowl-experience/112151222/ |access-date=May 10, 2021 |website=The Florida Times-Union}}
• Most sacks in a season: 17.5 (2023)

One of his sisters, Myisha Hines-Allen, is a professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings.{{cite news|title=Kentucky football's Josh Allen enjoying sister Myisha's Sweet 16 run with Louisville|first=Danielle |last=Lerner |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/03/22/louisville-womens-basketball-myisha-hines-allen-kentucky-football-josh-allen/448926002/|date=March 22, 2018|access-date=April 6, 2018|newspaper=Courier Journal |location=Louisville, KY}} Two other sisters played basketball, LaTorri Hines-Allen for Division I Towson, and Kyra Hines-Allen for Division II Cheyney. An uncle, Gregory Hines, was a legendary player for Hampton basketball when the Pirates were still in Division II. He was later chosen in the fifth round of the 1983 NBA draft; although he never played in the league, he did play professionally for over a decade. Another uncle, Keith, played basketball at Montclair State.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Joshua Hines-Allen: Jaguars star pass rusher changes name to honor family |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/joshua-hines-allen-jaguars-star-pass-rusher-changes-name-to-honor-family |access-date=July 10, 2024 |website=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League}}

Hines-Allen married Kaitlyn Morrison on April 17, 2019. The two met during their freshman year of college in 2015 at the University of Kentucky. Kaitlyn is from Ohio and has a license in Cosmetology, as well as attending college for psychology.

Hines-Allen has three children with his wife: Wesley, Julian, and Vanessa.

On July 9, 2024, he officially announced a name change from Joshua Allen to Joshua Hines-Allen, in honor of his sisters and uncles, who were all athletes.{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Jags star pass rusher Allen changing last name |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40525307/jaguars-star-pass-rusher-changing-name-josh-hines-allen |access-date=July 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite news |last=Pompei |first=Dan |date=August 6, 2024 |title=What's in a name (change)? For Josh Hines-Allen, it was about roots and recognition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5674474/2024/08/06/josh-hines-allen-jaguars-name-change/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |work=The Athletic |language=en-US |url-access=subscription}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Twitter|JoshHinesAllen}}

{{footballstats|espn=3915239|yahoo=31839|nfl=josh-hines-allen}}

• [https://www.jaguars.com/team/players-roster/josh-allen/ Jacksonville Jaguars bio]
• [https://ukathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6473 Kentucky Wildcats bio]

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Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:All-American college football players

Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players

Category:American football defensive ends

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players

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Category:Montclair High School (New Jersey) alumni

Category:People from Cumberland County, Virginia

Category:Players of American football from Montclair, New Jersey

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