It was the middle of October, 2014, whenLester Hayes Womens Jersey Marcus Allen went from former four-star recruit to starting Penn State safety.
He hasn't looked back since.
No. 2 in blue and white has played a lot of football for the Nittany Lions since he subbed in for Ryan Keiser, a victim of a freak practice accident, days before the Lions took on Ohio State in what would turn into an overtime thriller.
The true freshman has morphed his game since then plenty, but not enough to make him think he was or is ready for the NFL. So, after much thought, he and his family decided returning to school was best so that Allen, a product of Wise Matt Mcgloin Youth Jersey High in Maryland, could play one final season to try and help PSU go further than a Big Ten title while also improving his draft stock.
"I know that was the right decision," Allen said on Wednesday.
"I wanted to work on everything, to be honest. That's my tackling, my coverage, turnovers, everything. I definitely want to make way more plays."
Penn State will be greatly benefitted if Allen does just that, because believe it or not, he has yet to record his first interception despite starting in over 20 career games.
Of course, it must be noted that there have been many times between his first start and now that he's been asked to play the run more than the pass. His 22-tackle effort against Minnesota last season is one good example of that, but the position still needs to create more game-changing plays, which Allen is aware of.
"The secondary needs way more turnovers, we need to make a lot of plays, and that means we have to put in the work," he said.
He's led the charge this offseason, taking the role of unit leader and starting a group text message to ensure guys like Ayron Monroe, Nick Scott, Troy Apke, John Petrishen, and other safeties young and old who are fighting for the starting safety spot opposite him -- the one vacated by Malik Golden -- are taking the extra steps that are necessary to improve.
As for where his leadership traits come from, they were built on what he learned from the guys that helped him way back when, such as Golden, Adrian http://www.authenticsaintsshop.com/shop-by-players-vonn-bell-jersey... Amos, Keiser, Jordan Lucas, and Trevor Williams.
"After every practice, we do extra work," Allen said. "Even when we're not practicing, come in; we have a group message, and I hit up all the safeties to tell them to come in and get some extra work."
It's not just the safeties Allen is taking under his wing, either; he's also helping out true freshman corner and January enrollee Lamont Wade.
"They're very sparky," Allen continued. "They really make a whole bunch of elusive plays, especially Lamont. Lamont is very explosive. He has that knack to him. He's going to be a really good player."
He hopes the whole group as a whole turns into really good players this fall. Penn State does, too.
"I think the whole defense, we try to pick up everyone as far as playbooks, knowing the plays; if they need any help, just try and be thathttp://www.authenticsteelerssale.com/shop-by-players-senquez-golson... big brother for them," Allen said.
"To be honest, I think we still have that chemistry. I really don't think we're missing anything at all."