2025 NFL Draft: 3 issues to find out about LeQuint Allen

With the 2025 NFL Draft within the books, it’s time to replicate on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did rookie GM James Gladstone ship a masterclass, or has he simply set the Jags again 5 years? Reality is, we in all probability gained’t know that for a while. However we will get to know the most recent members of the group slightly bit higher. Within the newest of our mini-series of deep dives, listed here are three issues to find out about LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse:

Landing machine

LeQuint Allen delivered a formidable faculty profession since arriving on the Syracuse campus in 2022. A 3-star recruit out of Millville Excessive Faculty in New Jersey, Allen was extremely coveted by a handful of East Coast groups, receiving seven scholarship affords primarily from ACC applications. The Orange gained the rights for his providers and instantly started integrating Allen into their offense. The working again was used as an influence participant, averaging 6.7 yards per carry as a freshman earlier than turning into a focus of the Syracuse offense in 2023.

Allen recorded back-to-back 1,000 speeding yard seasons as a sophomore and junior – but it surely was his landing manufacturing his closing yr on the JMA Wi-fi Dome that actually caught the eye. Allen racked up 16 speeding scores his closing yr on campus, sufficient to steer all ball carriers within the ACC.

Maybe extra spectacular was Allen’s evolution right into a working again who was a critical weapon within the passing sport. After flashing what he might do as a receiver in 2023, final yr Allen went into overdrive, having fun with greater than 500 receiving yards and including 4 extra touchdowns to his already spectacular totals. In a three-year profession, Allen completed with greater than 3,200 all-purpose yards and 32 touchdowns – serving to the Orange turn out to be an ACC pressure and are available shut to creating the playoffs.

The Jaguars have lengthy been making an attempt to create a various backfield group that may assist the offense in a myriad of the way. LeQuint Allen may simply be capable to do every part himself.

Tragedy overshadows achievement

As a freshman working again, LeQuint Allen needed to bide his time for a number one position in Syracuse’s offense. However by the tip of his first yr on campus, he had labored his approach up the depth chart, making his first-ever begin for the Orange within the Pinstripe Bowl in opposition to Minnesota in December 2022.

That finish to his first season of school soccer ought to have heralded an offseason of pleasure for Allen as he ready to take the subsequent step and turn out to be a frontrunner of the Syracuse soccer program. As a substitute, the working again discovered himself reeling from tragedy after his father was killed that February. Known as ‘The Valentine’s Day Capturing’ by native media, Allen’s father, LeQuint Allen Sr., was fatally shot after strolling away from an argument in Lawrence Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Aged simply 42, Allen Sr. had travelled the 140 miles to New York two months prior to observe his son begin for Syracuse for the primary time. It will sadly be the final time his father obtained to see Allen Jr. within the well-known orange uniform. The shooter, Thomas Baker Jr., was arrested and charged with homicide.

Allen would endure additional adversity that offseason, finally having to sue the college he attended to permit him to play soccer within the 2023 season. Allen wound up in a struggle defending a teammate, and was punished with a two-semester suspension, throwing his eligibility and place on the College in jeopardy. Finally the suspension was dropped and someway, regardless of the tragedy and challenges, Allen thrived, having a sophomore season to recollect. If psychological power and perseverance are two traits you need in a working again, Allen certain has them.

Cheesesteak connoisseur

After the earlier revelations, I assumed I might hold it gentle for the very last thing it’s essential find out about LeQuint Allen. So I scoured his social media handles for little tidbits that may provide you with an perception into the character of the Jaguars’ newest addition to the backfield. And I discovered a few gems…

Firstly, forward of final yr, Allen was requested by the ACC Community what animal he can be if he have been one. Now, soccer gamers don’t often lack confidence, and so selecting a beast that may rule within the animal kingdom is not any shock. However two? Allen referred to himself as a cross between an ape and a lion, a hybrid that may strike concern into some other creature, not to mention a linebacker making an attempt to take him down within the open area. Little context was supplied to the selection – which components of every animal specifically? Maybe we’ll discover out this season…

Lastly; introduced up in Millville, NJ, Allen was raised lower than an hour’s drive from Philadelphia. So in fact it was inevitable he can be requested about his favourite cheese steak institution within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love. Allen mentioned his go-to restaurant for the traditional Philly delicacies was a spot known as Ishkabibbles, a household restaurant that has been serving since 1979 – notably well-known for being the house of the rooster cheesesteak. It’s turn out to be so widespread, it’s opened a second retailer – on the identical avenue! So in the event you’re ever in Philadelphia, make sure to test it out.