SS Antonio Allen of South Carolina ~ 6.1/208
~ Zimbio ~ ~ #26 ~
"Allen is an experienced SEC defensive back who has played the rover position for South Carolina and is a versatile defender. He is very active and plays the run extremely well.
Some will question his value as a safety because he didn't play the true safety position in college, but his athletic ability and tendency to be actively involved in every play in the box gives him value to teams looking to add run support.
He is somewhat limited in pass defense due to playing so close in the box, but he has third-round value and could ascend from there.
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Strengths: Allen is a superior run defender who played in close to the box often at South Carolina. He is good to shuffle and work over the top of linebackers, and then trigger a drive step to break on short passes or get after a runner outside.
He is a very firm and reliable tackler in space which gives great added value to teams as a safety. He can blanket-cover tight ends out of press which was his specialty at South Carolina.
Weaknesses: The fact that Allen didn't start at a true safety position in college hurts his value. He struggles at times in transition and in a traditional backpedal and will need work here as he adapts to safety in the pros."
Some will question his value as a safety because he didn't play the true safety position in college, but his athletic ability and tendency to be actively involved in every play in the box gives him value to teams looking to add run support.
He is somewhat limited in pass defense due to playing so close in the box, but he has third-round value and could ascend from there.
***
He is a very firm and reliable tackler in space which gives great added value to teams as a safety. He can blanket-cover tight ends out of press which was his specialty at South Carolina.
"A tall, top heavy safety prospect who plays the hybrid SS/LB "spur" position on the South Carolina defense. Plays a lot inside the box and when he sees the football showcases an average initial burst, drops his pad level, wraps and creates an explosive pop into contact.
Can tackle inside the box, plays physical and has a natural strength to his game. However, isn't the most instinctive of defenders inside. Doesn't consistently take proper angles toward the ball carrier and lacks the initial closing gear to make up for it.
Plays like a 4.6 guy and doesn't routinely make a ton of plays in pursuit. Struggles to breakdown as well into contact and has a tendency to outrun the football.
Is an intimidating presence in the secondary. However, doesn't look real flexible trying to sit into his stance. Gets hunched over at the waist and his big, broad upper body makes it tough on him to change directions. Tends to skip off the line in off man coverage.
Will line-up over the slot, but simply doesn't have the flexibility in his drop to stay low and create much of a burst out of his breaks. Doesn't change directions well and/or have the ability to close on the football in space.
Is tighter in the hips as well and routinely gets overextended with his footwork causing him to waste motion collecting himself before he's ready to reach his top gear. Isn't a burner either way and even when he reaches top end speed lacks the ability to make up for a false step.
Showcases the ability to use his length well and be physical off the line. Does a nice job being physical on contact, extending his long arms and creating a jolt into contact. Will get overextended at times, but creates enough of a bump for him to stay in their back pocket initially in the pass game.
Impression: A physical in the box type player who doesn't key overly well. Isn't an NFL caliber pass defender either and looks more like a very average old school type strong safety."
Can tackle inside the box, plays physical and has a natural strength to his game. However, isn't the most instinctive of defenders inside. Doesn't consistently take proper angles toward the ball carrier and lacks the initial closing gear to make up for it.
Plays like a 4.6 guy and doesn't routinely make a ton of plays in pursuit. Struggles to breakdown as well into contact and has a tendency to outrun the football.
Is an intimidating presence in the secondary. However, doesn't look real flexible trying to sit into his stance. Gets hunched over at the waist and his big, broad upper body makes it tough on him to change directions. Tends to skip off the line in off man coverage.
Will line-up over the slot, but simply doesn't have the flexibility in his drop to stay low and create much of a burst out of his breaks. Doesn't change directions well and/or have the ability to close on the football in space.
Is tighter in the hips as well and routinely gets overextended with his footwork causing him to waste motion collecting himself before he's ready to reach his top gear. Isn't a burner either way and even when he reaches top end speed lacks the ability to make up for a false step.
Showcases the ability to use his length well and be physical off the line. Does a nice job being physical on contact, extending his long arms and creating a jolt into contact. Will get overextended at times, but creates enough of a bump for him to stay in their back pocket initially in the pass game.
Impression: A physical in the box type player who doesn't key overly well. Isn't an NFL caliber pass defender either and looks more like a very average old school type strong safety."
"Slender collegiate "spur" who is light on his feet — nice pedal speed and change of direction — but lacks bulk, reacts rather than anticipates, takes questionable angles and is an inconsistent tackler.
Deployment in South Carolina’s defense does not showcase the depth of his physical ability but is not a back-end leader and could struggle adjusting to complex NFL schemes."
Deployment in South Carolina’s defense does not showcase the depth of his physical ability but is not a back-end leader and could struggle adjusting to complex NFL schemes."
"Built like a SS but actually plays as an extra LB in the USC scheme; solid tackler finished second on the team with 70 tackles in 2010, including 2.5 sacks and 8 other tackles for loss,
Quick and instinctive player reads the field well and gets to the ball in a hurry, but is isn’t necessarily a big hitter when he gets there;
Has just enough speed to run with most backs and TEs in coverage, but doesn’t make many plays when the ball is in the air."
Quick and instinctive player reads the field well and gets to the ball in a hurry, but is isn’t necessarily a big hitter when he gets there;
Has just enough speed to run with most backs and TEs in coverage, but doesn’t make many plays when the ball is in the air."
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