• NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Brenton Allen, LB, Pace University by Matt Anzio
• Player: Brenton Allen
• Position: Inside/ Outside LB
• School: Pace University
• Previous School: Diablo Valley
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 230 lbs
• Arm size  31 ⅞
• Hand size:  9 ¼
• Projected Forty : 4:58
• Projected Round:  7-UDFA
• Projected Vert: 35 “
• Projected Reps at 225:  29 reps
• Draft: 2019
• Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
• Jersey Number: 52

      Stats & Awards

• 2018-  Pace University:  57 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBU, 2 FF & 1 safety
• Invites The National Bowl, HBCU  Spirit Of America Bowl Podyum All Star Game
•  Lead team in tackles at The National Bowl Daytona 12/9/18
• 10 tackles 1 TFL  Vs Stonehill College 9/29/18  
• 8 tackles 1 TFL Vs Merrimack College 11/3/ 18
• 7 tackles 2 TFL, 2 PBU & a Safety Vs St  Anselm 11/10/18

• 2017- Played in 8 games  Pace
• On Both the Fall & Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll

• 2016 –  Played in    games for Diablo Valley College
• Lead Team with 70 tackles also added 3.5 sacks 7.5 TFL, 1 FF & 2 FR
• 8 tackles , 1 FF & a FR Vs American River 9/2/16
• 7 tackles, , 1 TFL & a Sack Vs Sequoias 9/16/16
• 9 tackles, 1 TFL 1 sack, 1 1 FF FR Vs San Mateo 11/12/16    

Diamond Report

Reason Behind the Number 52?

Was a question I was gonna ask 2019 NFL draft prospect Brenton Allen but within a minute or two of his tape I knew the answer. Baltimore linebacker grew up a fan of Ray Lewis’s intense attack style of play on those monster Baltimore defenses. Allen tries to model his game after the HOF ILB does a nice job of it while still possessing his own identity. Not only on the field but in the film room & weight room he has the testicular fortitude &  determination to be great like Lewis.

Against the Run

Ability to shed blocks with both power & quickness.  Can shed a block with one arm while engaging a tackle with the other.  Plays much larger than his size extends his arms & body very well as a tackler. Allen can make tackles just with the strength of his hands. Student of the game studies his opponent’s tendencies weaknesses exploits them. Instinctual downhill plug & play thumper that can track the ball carrier. Does a good job keeping the play in front of him close with rapid intensity? Aggressive hand work creates turnovers jarring the ball loose. Takes good angles against the run game closing down lanes or cutting off the back. Can run most backs down from behind or anticipate the direction cut them off from the side. Awareness with precision vision on screen plays and/ or half back tosses reads squares them up & attacks. Staying low with great leverage fluid hips, knee bend & technique.

In Coverage

Intelligent pass coverage linebacker recognizes when to drop into coverage. Understands zone pass coverages even saw him hold his own in man coverage in certain situations.  Seen him cover RB’s out the backfield, TE’s even slower wideouts with success. Gives maximum effort in coverage diagnosis & digests plays faster than your average linebacker.  Can turn open his hips very fluid transition from run support to pass coverage. He is only a little more than an inch shorter than the first-round pick from Georgia Roquan Smith. Not saying he is Smith, I am just simply stating that there is a trend of athletic smaller Linebackers being used in pass coverage. Deon  Jones from Atlanta also comes to mind. When you have good range, wingspan ,smarts, short area burst & give 100% every snap scouts, coaches & GM’s will take notice.

Special Teams

The middle linebacker from Pace has played his share on special teams throughout his football career.  Goes on hard on KR coverage, flie down the field avoiding trash keeping himself free & clean. Against FG attempts he is a guy you would want on the field as he has that never quit mentality. Even watched him set up blocks on kick return his team. He is extremely strong can be a real asset in so many phases of the game.   

Summary

Got to see a variety of tape of Brenton Allen from Diablo Valley College to pace & up to the National Bowl including some practices. In the National Bowl, he was the team leader in tackles.  What I see is consistent relentlessness, high football IQ & a very versatile Inside or Outside LB. Sure many will question his size, as I am sure they questioned Ray Lewis’s size. What you can never measure is the size of the heart of a prospect like Allen. He understands the importance of film study he puts in the work in the gym & on the field. Above all else, he is a good communicator that is a very coachable humble draft prospect. Now he prepares for the  HBCU Spirit of America Bowl on Jan 20th ensuring he gets as much exposure as possible. Shows his determination his work ethic. Brenton Allen is the type of player coaches & players want on their squad.