🏈 Jonathan Allen: From Foster care to First Round

[TUSKtimes]

Allen

“He overcame a lot,” his father, Richard Allen, said. “At a young age, you’re oblivious to the fact that you’re living in a hotel, that you’re not going to school, doing the things a kid is supposed to. He was oblivious to that.”

 

[EasyTider]

I like to think I'm as big a Bama fan as there is, and then I read stories like this. I knew JA was from VA and a military kid, but now I know why he has the potential to be CNS best defensive player yet at Alabama.

 

[Tidestalker]

Great story! Thanks for posting Tusk.

Amazing to think back but he was being recruited to play OLB and possibly even MLB. He's put on a ton of weight that first year and has been a staple on the DL for 4 years.

I know we all talk and joke about the amazing recruiting classes, and how we replace 5 stars with 5 stars... But there are great recruits and then there are kids like Jon Allen that are absolutely special. Yes there are other good players on the depth chart, but there are no other Jon Allen's. Looking back at Saban's tenure, there are a handful of guys who were clearly 5 stars on the field but also had 5 star mental ability, work ethic, toughness that have been difference makers.

Seems like they all have quiet personalities and these legendary work ethics... I'm talking about: Jon Allen, Ro McClain, Trent Richardson, CJ Mosley, Hightower, Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, TJ Yeldon, Landon Collins, Haha C-D. 5 stars that stood out among other great players. For whatever reason they're draw to Saban and he sure knows how to develop them mentally and physically.

Looks like we may have a few more on this team as well. Ridley, Minkah Fitz & Jonah Williams can be legendary. Hurts was not in that mold of a "can't miss" recruit, but has this mentality. Golden era!!! RTR

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Nice read top to bottom, but 2 things really stood out in glaring fashion to me:

1) A couple weeks ago during the awards circuit, a pic of him and Reuben was posted. I commented that he was dressed like a math nerd, not knowing his major before reading this article. Turns out his degree is with Financial Planning.

2) He played trombone.

Lololz.