Louisiana Tech grad transfer offensive tackle Willie Allen has committed to Michigan. He would enroll in the spring and be eligible for the 2021 season.
Hit the jump for more.
Allen was originally a class of 2016 high schooler who was offered by Michigan, along with a bunch of other big-time schools, and signed with LSU. He was a 247 Composite 4-star, the #17 offensive tackle, and #183 overall in that 2016 class. (For some reference points, Ben Bredeson was the #5 offensive tackle, Devery Hamilton was #25, and Erik Swenson was #31.)
Allen redshirted in 2016 and then left prior to the 2017 season. He then transferred to Tyler Junior College before ending up at Louisiana Tech in 2018. He opted out of the 2020 season, entered the transfer portal, and will hit campus in 2021, provided there are no further changes.
I will admit that I did not watch Louisiana Tech play football in 2019 for more than an occasional highlight, so I have no recollection of him as a college player. However, I do remember him from the 2016 class and I thought highly of him. But being from John Curtis, I also knew he would be a longshot to land. He was massive (now listed at 6’6″, 343 lbs.), moved pretty well, and got a ton of movement along the defensive line.
As for Michigan in 2021, Allen will have a chance to snag the offensive tackle spot that would presumably be vacated by Jalen Mayfield. Mayfield initially announced he would leave and enter the 2021 NFL draft, but that was before the Big Ten season was re-initiated. Every other starter in 2020 will have eligibility remaining at least through 2021, so somebody’s going to be disappointed in 2021, whether it’s Allen or a current Michigan player who gets blocked by Allen.
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Are we sure he’s looking to play offensive tackle? He seems a little large to be playing tackle. It’s hard to imagine him keeping pace with edge rushers at that weight.
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He is big.
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