NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Antonio Allen, S South Carolina

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Antonio Allen, SS, South Carolina

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Antonio Allen

Player information:

Antonio Allen, S South Carolina
6’1″, 210 lbs
Played the “spur” position for the Gamecocks, a hybrid SS/LB role. Can you say “Return of Big Oakie?”

NFL Combine:

4.67 40-yard dash
4.25 20-yard shuttle
7.02 3-cone drill
9.83′ long jump
34″ vertical jump
17 bench press reps

News & Notes:

Allen started of 2011 with a bang, recording 16 tackles in South Carolina’s opening game. Allen was named second team ALL-SEC for the 2011 season, finishing with 88 tackles , 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 9.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Played on every special teams unit except field goals.

What they’re saying about him:

Wes Bunting (National Football Post): A tall, top heavy safety prospect… Plays a lot inside the box and when he sees the football showcases an average initial burst, drops his pad level, wraps and creates an explosive pop into contact…   Doesn’t consistently take proper angles toward the ball carrier and lacks the initial closing gear to make up for it. Plays like a 4.6 guy and doesn’t routinely make a ton of plays in pursuit. Struggles to breakdown as well into contact and has a tendency to outrun the football.

Dane Brugler (CBS Sports): Doesn’t shy from contact and exhibits a nasty attitude with a competitive attitude and motor. Versatile with experience as an in-the-box safety and in man coverage, lining up over inside receivers. Also played on special teams coverage…   Has suspect instincts in coverage and needs to show better pre-snap recognition. Will slip off tackles and needs to finish more consistently. Has durability concerns after various injuries forced him out of action in college, including a hamstring injury in 2010 and a neck issue last season. Lacks a natural position and might be viewed as a linebacker/safety tweener by several teams.

NFL Combine: Allen is an experienced SEC defensive back who has played the rover position for South Carolina and is a versatile defender. He is very active and plays the run extremely well. Some will question his value as a safety because he didn’t play the true safety position in college…
Video:

Video Analysis:

  •  Definitely does his best work in straight-ahead “attack” mode
  • Delivers a good hit in those instances
  • Needs to get stronger – too easily blocked by wide receivers
  • loses track of the ball when engaged with a blocker
  • very good open-space tackler.
  • Decent in pursuit, but not great.
  • Not used much in pass coverage.
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Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.

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6 thoughts on “NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Antonio Allen, S South Carolina

  1. “Will slip off tackles”

    Got enough of those guys. A safety that tackles first is the guy to go get.

    UDFA at best for Allen

    1. No, Allen will definitely get drafted somewhere. And Allen IS a safety that “tackles first.” He’s above average, but not great. The guy you want then, is Harrison Smith. That will take a third or even second rounder.

      1. Now that they’ve signed Muir maybe Allen is a possiblity. Thaks for the heads up on Allen Al.

        Now I’ve got to go take my heart meds. Two FA’s in two days. I’m afraid the Mayans are right 2012 is the end.

  2. “Lacks a natural position and might be viewed as a linebacker/safety tweener by several teams.”

    Would this be the ideal type of player to match up against TE’s like Finley and Gronkowski?

  3. man he’s slow. I don’t think that he could keep up with Finley if that 40 time is accurate Chad. That’s probably why he wasn’t used much in coverage in college. He seems like he plays a 4.6-4.7 speed from the tape too.

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