***5-star WR/S Keenan Allen commits to BAMA***

[BigEasyTider]

I feel fairly confident in saying Keenan will see the field next year as a receiver.

I hope he can, but given how much talent and depth we have at wide receiver returning, I think it's fair from a given.

We've got a seven man rotation at receiver this year, and we'll probably have that next year too. You've got Julio, Maze, Hanks, and Alexander as pretty established, plus a lot of the younger guys like Norwood, Bowman, Bell, and Kelly.

At the very least, in order for him to get on the field next year, he's going to have to beat out all of the other receivers in this class -- no easy task, to be sure -- and then he's going to have to beat out at least one or two of the returning upperclassmen.

 

[GA_Tide]

A lot of it is going to depend on how polished he is as a receiver coming in. How is his route running? How is he at beating press coverage?

Anybody have any insight?

 

[tide96]

Plus, just look at the depth chart for the defensive backfield. There are a lot of seniors.

 

[37bamagrl]

Welcome Keenan!! Does he prefer WR? It just seems that Saban would want the #1 rated safety in the country in his defensive backfield! good steal for McElwain i guess if he plays WR

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Th.../42245/sn100_athlete_allen_commits_to_alabama

Says he has a very quiet demeanor, he should get along with julio fine.

 

[Airborne Tider]

Keenan will be a superstar on either side of the ball. He has no preference, he just wants to play. Obviously, his easier path to playing time would come in the defensive backfield. But from all reports he was recruited to start at WR, even his coach says he sees him as a receiver in college. With his size, speed, and elusiveness I just can't see him not getting into the rotation as a receiver. The only thing that I see that could hold him back is failure to grasp the system or blocking ability. He is a very smart kid and I think he will grasp the position fine so I think it comes down to how well he can block. IMHO.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

For an idea of the kind of versatility we're getting, this is an excerpt from the Charlotte Observer's story on Keenan's commitment.

Check out these numbers, straight from Northern Guilford coach Johnny Roscoe, who also used Allen part-time at RB:

“He had 15 rushing touchdowns, 11 receiving, three on punt returns, two on interceptions an one on a kickoff, for a total of 32. For what it’s worth, he also had six two-point conversions.

“On defense, he was over 90 tackles with six interceptions—four of those went for touchdowns. He also had three tackles for loss, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble and a sack.”

Alabama plans to use Allen at WR, so I asked Roscoe if he thought that would be Allen’s best college position.

“He’s one of the very few players who can play wherever he wants in college,” Roscoe said. “He’s got that kind of ability.”

Allen led Northern Guilford into the playoffs with a 10-1 record.

“As good as he is, I like him better as a person than a player,” Roscoe said.
“Alabama is getting a player who will help their team, because he’s a team player first.”

 

[glasscutter256]

For an idea of the kind of versatility we're getting, this is an excerpt from the Charlotte Observer's story on Keenan's commitment.

Check out these numbers, straight from Northern Guilford coach Johnny Roscoe, who also used Allen part-time at RB:

“He had 15 rushing touchdowns, 11 receiving, three on punt returns, two on interceptions an one on a kickoff, for a total of 32. For what it’s worth, he also had six two-point conversions.

“On defense, he was over 90 tackles with six interceptions—four of those went for touchdowns. He also had three tackles for loss, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble and a sack.”

Alabama plans to use Allen at WR, so I asked Roscoe if he thought that would be Allen’s best college position.

“He’s one of the very few players who can play wherever he wants in college,” Roscoe said. “He’s got that kind of ability.”

Allen led Northern Guilford into the playoffs with a 10-1 record.

“As good as he is, I like him better as a person than a player,” Roscoe said.
“Alabama is getting a player who will help their team, because he’s a team player first.”

Great post. I like the good guys. Not much risk of causing trouble. I'm looking forward to see him possibly returning kicks and/or punts next year. Sounds like he has some major skillz.

 

[BigEasyTider]

For an idea of the kind of versatility we're getting, this is an excerpt from the Charlotte Observer's story on Keenan's commitment.

Check out these numbers, straight from Northern Guilford coach Johnny Roscoe, who also used Allen part-time at RB:

“He had 15 rushing touchdowns, 11 receiving, three on punt returns, two on interceptions an one on a kickoff, for a total of 32. For what it’s worth, he also had six two-point conversions.

“On defense, he was over 90 tackles with six interceptions—four of those went for touchdowns. He also had three tackles for loss, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble and a sack.”

Alabama plans to use Allen at WR, so I asked Roscoe if he thought that would be Allen’s best college position.

“He’s one of the very few players who can play wherever he wants in college,” Roscoe said. “He’s got that kind of ability.”

Allen led Northern Guilford into the playoffs with a 10-1 record.

“As good as he is, I like him better as a person than a player,” Roscoe said.
“Alabama is getting a player who will help their team, because he’s a team player first.”

Do you have a link to that one, CE?

I tried to find one but couldn't, and I would like to read the whole thing.

 

[Tidetwin]

Not Eyeshades but try this one:College Recruiting

Do you have a link to that one, CE?

I tried to find one but couldn't, and I would like to read the whole thing.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Not Eyeshades but try this one:College Recruiting

Thanks Twin.

Stan Olson, the author and a good guy, had predicted that Clemson might sneak in and get Keenan. I really regretted breaking the news to him Sunday morning.

Really.

 

[Tidetwin]

Thanks Twin.

Stan Olson, the author and a good guy, had predicted that Clemson might sneak in and get Keenan. I really regretted breaking the news to him Sunday morning.

Really.

i bet you did. Really

 

[BigEasyTider]

Great find, CE, that was a very good read.

 

[nivekstan]

“As good as he is, I like him better as a person than a player,” Roscoe said.
“Alabama is getting a player who will help their team, because he’s a team player first.”
[/I]

Athletes like this with attitudes like this go a long way toward team chemistry. I look at all the studs on our current roster and they all seem to be team players. Of course it always helps when you win, but IMO the two go hand in hand.

 

[wileybb22]

Need some more just like him. Next? RTR:biggrin:

 

[37bamagrl]

Amerson, Allen settle on colleges : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

love this quote:

Allen said he's excited for a playoff run at Northern, but the next level of competition is already calling him from Alabama.

"It's the best chance for me to be a better player and a better man," he said.

 

[Mystical]

Wonder if there is any chance he could get some time on O and D?

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

". . . better player and a better man . . . " Gives me chills.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Wonder if there is any chance he could get some time on O and D?

Barring a really bad rash of injuries, it would shock me if he did.

He is being recruited as a wide receiver, and Saban's defensive schemes are entirely too complex in the defensive backfield just to throw an offensive guy over for just a couple of plays. And, frankly, with as many talented DB's as we have, it's not like playing time will be easy to come by even for the highly-touted DB signees.

 

[KrAzY3]

Barring a really bad rash of injuries, it would shock me if he did.

He is being recruited as a wide receiver, and Saban's defensive schemes are entirely too complex in the defensive backfield just to throw an offensive guy over for just a couple of plays. And, frankly, with as many talented DB's as we have, it's not like playing time will be easy to come by even for the highly-touted DB signees.

The scenarios I have seen were DBs playing some at WR (Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders for example). I can't really recall a WR stepping in and playing on defense. So if he ended up as a DB I can imagine him playing on offense occasionally, but if he's a full time starter on offense I don't see how he'd end up doing anything on defense (perhaps some special teams play though).

 

[BAMARICH]

Just one note of caution that BET alluded to earlier. Remember this kid will be coming in FAR behind every other current player in regards to an understanding of schemes and responsibilities. While I'm NOT saying their cases are exactly the same, if you look at the "case study of B.J. Scott," we would do well to at least accept the possibility of KA coming in & sitting his first year... wherever he ends up. Talent looks great... and looks like there's a high ceiling. But... look at the threads for all the past 5-stars CNS has brought in during his time here and you will see a recurring pattern. Outside of Julio/Trent, none of them have simply jumped into the starting lineup... and most did not even get into the rotation.