'11 IL DE Christian Allen (Southern Verbal)

[Jason Svoboda]

Defensive End
Richton Park (IL) Rich South

Ht: 6-foot-3
Wt: 235 lbs

[Jason Svoboda]

Allen is an active defensive end with a good motor. Lacks ideal height but has a solid-built frame with some bulk. Has the length for continued physical development. Shows flashes of decent quickness off the line and in the short-area. Would like to see him anticipate the snap better and improve get-off but he shows the ability to penetrate inside and cause some disruption. Not a real finesse pass-rusher but has adequate quicks off the edge and deceptive straight-line speed to chase. Shows the strength needed to collapse the pocket when he takes an inside rush as well. Gets a solid up-field push when he plays with proper leverage and can create some pressure. However, we feel he could struggle to anchor the run at the major college level. Does not employ his hands or extend consistently and keep blockers off his body. Does show he can shed quickly when slanting and put on the move. Would like to see improved upper-body strength and explosiveness at the point of attack jolting blockers back. As a pass rusher, he will need to attack half the body and learn to incorporate more moves. Overall, Allen shows some flashes of good play at defensive end and is an effective blocker at fullback. He is a solid high school football player but at this time we do not see any superior attributes to project high at the major college level. May get a look as a stand up end in 3-4 schemes.
ESPN evaluation. Has verballed to Coach Miles per ESPN. Thanks to Tom for finding it!

[Jason Svoboda]

You can find some video here:

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-football/recruiting/player/videos?id=103755

[Jason Svoboda]

BTW, before people get too down on that eval, ESPN evals everyone at the FBS level. Additionally, a lot of what was said in his evel were the same things they said about Ben Obaseki coming out of high school. I've seen a couple pictures of Christian and he has an excellent frame and any time a kid is listed as having a good motor, sign me up!

[IndianaState45]

Kid is an espn 2 star recruit...I like it! A great defensive pickup!

[Sycamore Proud]

Sounds like he might be a great find for the Sycamores. If he can bring anything near the presence of Ben, he is a good fit for the Trees.
:sycamores::sycamores::sycamores:

[BigBlue79]

Good motor means the same thing in the weight room....it also says he hasn't maxed out his potential strength and speed...6-2 237 is fine for what we are doing on defense..I like it..

[jlandrus23]

Sounds like he could be a great player for the Sycamores!!:sycamores:

[Cheese22897]

Jason,

this is my son and he is still taking some more official visits. this weekend going to Baton Rouge, LA to visit Southern University A&M College. He likes Indiana and Theo Bradley father and I are good friends (frat brothers) we wud love to come to Terra Haute and see our sons play. My son's uncle played with Miles in the 80's at ISU Kevin Ramsey he is the Defensive Coordinator at Texas Southern University they won the SWAC this year also. My son still has some things to work out though. But Indiana State is his first choice.

[IndyTreeFan]

Tell your son we look forward to seeing him in Sycamore Blue!!! It's definitely the right choice!!!

[Jason Svoboda]

Looks like he is not going to be a Sycamore afterall. He has switched his commitment to Southern.

[Cheese22897]

Looks like the partly sunny conditions and palm trees was a little to much for the Midwest born and raised kid. Coach Miles and staff are good recruiters good luck trees.

[Jason Svoboda]

Looks like the partly sunny conditions and palm trees was a little to much for the Midwest born and raised kid. Coach Miles and staff are good recruiters good luck trees.
Good luck to Christian.