Jaelyn Allen
Class of 24
RB/TE/OLB
Salem HS
Going to assume this is PWO as no ranking in 247 out of Salem
HUDL Profile
I am extremely proud to announce my commitment towards VIRGINIA TECH!! Thank to everyone who helped me along the way!! @CoachPryVT @CoachShawnQuinn @CoachPrioleauVT @Coach_Marve @CoachHolter0623 pic.twitter.com/e0nmvinlTM— Jaelyn Allen (@jaelynallen12) February 1, 2024
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Comments
HEY LOOK WE GOT THAT SALEM LB EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!
/s
But in reality, glad to have him on board, always welcome to have local kids playing
Just watch.... This kid will turn out to be another Sam Rogers! #ibelieve
People who went to his games said he played really well. Really surprised if he passed the eye test in the games why he didn't have more offers or a ranking.
Can we start linking 247 and/or on3 links in the main post as best practice? Understand why we might not do it for pwos/unrated but still think it's a good idea bc they might have useful info
https://www.on3.com/db/jaelyn-allen-180138/
https://247sports.com/Player/jaelyn-allen-46147106/
I have read multiple times throughout the year from people who watch Salem HS say he is a real deal player.
I have no idea why he wasn't in higher demand on the recruiting front. I typically assume less than stellar testing numbers and/or lack of camp performances in these cases. Whatever it was, it doesn't matter. Mike LB, particularly in college, is a position where you can sacrifice some elite (NFL-type) athleticism for someone who will consistently do the right things at the right time: Properly fitting gaps, taking on blocks with a heavy shoulder and proper leverage, getting the defense set, diagnosing plays, etc.
Our example: Former walk-on Jack Tyler was one of our best Mikes this side of Vince Hall.
An outside example: Clemson's best defenses under Venables had Mike LB's that lacked elite testing numbers, didn't have elite arm length, etc. which cost them in the NFL, but they more than got the job done at this level.
I hope French takes a look at this guy's film. I would love to hear his insights on him as a prospect for this defense. He may already be familiar if he watched film of his teammate, 5* Chris Cole.
The Chris Cole effect also played into it. Scouts were at their games but all the focus was on watching Cole. Shadow of a star.
Let's hope so. PWO's hit at times, as you pointed out with Jack Tyler. The issue is that the hit rate is not great. That's why they are PWO's. Let's hope this kid gets time to grow, mature, learn the system then contribute. Pry is building a much deeper roster than he inherited, thus we can let these kids bake a bit.
He also won DPOY over Cole.
Have been told he was the better linebacker on the team.
Here we go! Walk on linebacker is actually better than 5 star linebacker says fans whose team missed on 5 star lol. No but I get what you're saying. Sometimes that stuff doesn't translate to the next level, but every once in a while it does. And our track record has been that we do get those guys to translate.
I mean he might have been the guy that gets to the spot to take on the block so Cole can make the tackle. He might not be athletic like Cole, he might not fit a lot of defensive schemes, but could be a great player (like Jack ryler) for us because he can do what we need.
I think back to when Oregon St recruit James Rodgers, they showed up and asked for James and the high school coach corrected them that they were here for jaquizz (because everyone else was) and OSU and they were like oops we got the name wrong and then started talking to the coach about him playing WR. and the coach was like no he's a rb. And it confused everyone because OSU was the first team to notice James and want James. Amd while Jaquizz was the better player, James was a good WR that started for them for multiple years. Every other team missed James.
I'm just reiterating what I was told by individuals who've watched a lot of film on him and coached against him. As noted in this thread he was voted DPOY. I'm sure he lacks the pure athleticism, speed, and measurables as Cole. But he's a football player and a great mike backer. I hope that translates to college - we will see.
Also - Cole was late to playing linebacker, and I believe he still played a bit all over the field as a senior? So he was more of a hybrid linebacker at Salem and schools are projecting him to pan out at linebacker based on measurables, camp performances etc etc almost more so than actual on field production. Not a knock on Cole, just how the recruiting/ranking stuff goes a lot of the time.
Should I be concerned that his commitment is only towards Virginia Tech? Is there another school he might be interested in on or near the line between Salem and Blacksburg, including the extrapolation of said line beyond Blacksburg?
Depending on his route out of Salem, we only have Roanoke College to contend with now that they have a program. Back off, Stiney!
I'm committed towards a winning season!
This is a big time get at a bargain from some #sauces that are familiar with his play. Hope it's true and he becomes a contributor.
And, then is awarded a scholarship.
Now, can PWO's get an NIL that covers tuition and board so effectively they are an extra scholarship player?
yes PWOs can get NIL -- it's a "scholarship" for them, not for the athletic department's accounting purposes