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Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Luke Allen, P, Stony Brook University

luke allenEvery year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Luke Allen

What is your Height/Weight?

6’3/210lbs

What is your position?

Punter/Kicker

Where do you play college football?

Stony Brook University

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

I originally moved to the United States from England right before high school, so I only really starting playing and kicking the football in my junior year of high school with no previous experience. With a large soccer background I was lucky that Stony Brook, which is 15 minutes down the road came in after my junior year and expressed and interest in me. I wasn’t really on the radar of any other schools since I was so inexperienced in the sport.

How did you choose your school?

I wanted to continue my athletic career by any means possible, and Stony Brook football gave me the opportunity to do that, with a fantastic academic school at the same time. This is something I will always be grateful for, especially in a sport so alien to me.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Blackburn, England. It’s in the Northwest of England, very industrial cities with a lot of countryside surrounding them. I moved to England at the age of 13 and haven’t looked back since, it was a move that changed my life.

Who is your role model, and why?

My dad, without question. I’ve seen him go through ups and downs and still stay positive through it all, something I think he’s instilled in me.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

I have not met with any scouts as of yet.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Being from England, I have a huge soccer background, which is what I largely attribute to my kicking ability. In New York, I would play soccer and football at the same time, often playing 2 games in the same day. I also ran track in high school to stay in shape in the off-season.

stony brookDid you play any other positions in football?

No, but I like to think of myself as somewhat athletic. I was often used in practice at stony brook as a scout team player, whether it was as a WR, or as part of an offensive line for linebacker drills.

At your position, what separates you from others?

At the punter position, I love having the ability to influence field position, and although we don’t score touchdowns or make tackles (hopefully not!) I take a lot of pride in being able to pin opponents deep inside their territory and putting our defense in a good position to get the ball back for our offense. Kicking field goals to me is all fun. Scoring points, having high pressure situations, you have to make the most of it and enjoy the pressure, we’re lucky to be there.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

Although you need to look at mistakes and analyze them, in our position you’re only as good as your last punt, or kick. I like to look at what I did right, and try and do it again, I prefer to feed off of the positives than the negatives and try and repeat the good things.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

I’ve faced some really good punt returners. Deshon Foxx from Uconn was awesome, he was so quick and caught absolutely everything.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

I really admire Pat McAfee from the Colts and the way he just has fun at the punter position, as well as being one of the best in the league. I try to have as much fun as I can and really enjoy pinning the opposition inside the 10, just as Pat does.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Probably moving the New York from England at an age when I was really starting to grow up. It was a drastic change to all aspects of life, but the way of overcoming it was to embrace it and adapt to the change in lifestyle and environment.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Aside from doing my usual warm up & stretch, I don’t really have any ore game rituals. I listen to some music and like to wear the initials of my parents and my girlfriend on my wrists, just a reminder of the people who put me where I am today and who keep me motivated and grounded.

What is your biggest strength?

My work ethic. No one will work harder than me. Being a punter, in college I used the weight room as a place to gain respect from my teammates, and then used my play on the field as well, but in the off-season I take a lot of pride of working hard and making myself strong. I think if my teammates saw me, the punter, working hard, throwing weights around and running hard, it encouraged them to be better too.

What is your biggest weakness?

I don’t look at any of my attributes as weaknesses, there is no room for weakness, and if you have any, don’t let anyone know what they are either.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I’m an awesome long term investment. You won’t find anyone that could outwork me, won’t find anyone more dedicated, and I will always do the right thing. My limited background in the sport means I have all the potential in the world that could be a benefit to your organization for years to come.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Moving to New York from England meant I really knew nothing about the sport. It was all new and alien to me, much like my new country. But I am without question a Jets fan, I follow them throughout the season. When I first got into football in high school, I also loved watching Clay Matthews run around and make plays, he’s an inspiring player who works harder than most.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Winston Churchill, David Beckham and Martin Luther King Jr

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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