TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Josh Allen slipped through the cracks!

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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-06-2015, 04:32 PM:

It sounds like we got a good one in Josh Allen.

John Fiore has sent defensive ends to play at Ohio State, Boston College and Rutgers and knew he had another big-time player this year in Josh Allen. However, the coach at Montclair (N.J.) High School had trouble convincing anyone else that Josh Allen was that good.

Finally, though, he got the attention of the University of Kentucky coaching staff and in a matter of a few days he got a visit from UK, made his official visit to Kentucky and committed to the Cats. On Wednesday, he officially became part of UK’s 2015 recruiting class when he signed his scholarship.

“Even in today’s age with all the modern technology and social media, some kids slip through the cracks,” said Fiore. “He is a heck of a player. We were very fortunate to get him this year and he had a great season with 22 1/2 sacks and also played on offense for us.”

Fiore is “good friends” with Rutgers defensive coordinator and said he “argued” with him about Allen’s talent, especially compared to some other players that Rutgers did offer scholarships. But an offer never came for Allen. He was committed to nearby Monmouth, a FCS school. He had an offer from Buffalo, and Kansas and Hawaii had shown interest.

Fiore is yet to understand why other big-time programs passed on the 6-4 Allen, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, before Kentucky jumped at the chance to sign him. The coach had even discussed the idea of Allen going to prep school to attract more offers.

“He is a kid that could be a big wide receiver. You could make him a hybrid tight end. He would make an unbelievable outside linebacker or defense end you could redshirt and then get him to 260 or 270 pounds,” Fiore said. “We won our third straight state title (as a public school) and he was unbelievable for us. He had 22 1/2 sacks and last year the kid now at Ohio State set our school record with 23 1/2. We play in one of the top leagues in the state and play some of the best teams around.

“Josh just did it with athleticism. He cuts on a dime and makes plays. He’s a special kid. I was very disappointed with how his recruitment went. I was expecting a lot more offers when it was a no-braier he would be a (academic) qualifier easily. Anybody who would stop and listen, I would show film and talk him up. I am just fortunate we got a connection with (UK coach Mark) Stoops. We got the film out and it all fell together in about two days.

Link

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-11-2015, 03:02 PM:

To be as big as he is with his speed he "will" play and probably real soon.

Posted by Green-Bean (Member # 13551) on 02-11-2015, 03:04 PM:

Happy we got him. He will work hard and play hard.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-11-2015, 10:17 PM:

That's what we want to hear. Speed on the defensive side of the ball!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-13-2015, 03:07 PM:

We do need speed on both sides of the ball if we are to get better in the SEC.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-14-2015, 10:37 AM:

I need a team full of Bud Dupree's!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-17-2015, 12:47 PM:

We do need a team of Bud Dupree's , however players like that just don't come around very often.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-17-2015, 12:49 PM:

Where we run into trouble is we don't not have the depth at every position like the other SEC teams have. In fact our starters are not as good as most 2nd and 3rd stringers on most SEC teams.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-17-2015, 12:50 PM:

We are gaining on it but we still have a long ways to go on getting good SEC type recruits.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-17-2015, 04:43 PM:

I'm hoping with the number of boys that red shirted last year that our talent will be up a little this next season

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-17-2015, 06:41 PM:

I think year by year we will improve some but not a lot un till we get some 5 star athletes.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-17-2015, 06:42 PM:

That's the difference with us and other SEC teams, they get some 5 stars and we don't.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-18-2015, 06:30 AM:

We're just not known for our football, it's always been that way!

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 02-18-2015, 11:10 AM:

And probably always will be. Just like UK will always be near the top of the basketball world, unless we hire Gillispie back!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-18-2015, 07:56 PM:

Gillispie, Norm, you just ruined a nice evening. [Wink]