2016 OT Willie Allen

[Rhavicc]

Hey everybody! I'm going to keep going down the list and I'm going to pump these names out. As you may already know, the class of 2016 is very active on Twitter, and it's paying off. A lot of very talented players showing a lot of interest in our beloved Kentucky Wildcats. Willie Allen is another one. This kid is a monster up front, and as you all may know, this upcoming class is looking like as good of a class in the offensive trenches that we'll ever have. We need to keep up the pace.
Anyway, Allen is a 5 star OT, #6 OT in the country. He's massive, in his junior year, he is 6'8, 300#.
I was SOLD after the first clip in his hudl highlight real. This kid is a man!! He explodes off the line, and drives players 20 yards downfield consistently. You'll even see him driving 2 players downfield at once. Pure monster.
I'll leave his hudl account in the link in this post.

Willie has recently taken a visit to UK (January 31st) and shows interest. He said he loves the fans here, so let's give him a reason to love the fans on twitter. It was also a request by the 2016 class via twitter recently, but many fans were caught up with the finishing touches of the 2015 class.
Let's show some love! Check this kid here, and let's see if we can reel him in!

Willie Allen highlights - hudl

 

[Rhavicc]

I'll be leaving Allen's twitter page in the link below, in this post. Once you check out his highlights and get excited about his game, release some of your excitement by following him on twitter and letting him know that #BBN is the place to be.

Willie Allen twitter

 

[htbud11]

I'm following him. Thanks!

 

[Rhavicc]

Notta problem! Hopefully other fans follow suit! This could be huge for our 'Cats!

 

[Boyz_N_Blue]

Not trying to throw cold water on the parade, but it would be totally unprecedented if Allen signed with UK. Most figure it's going to end up another LSU-Bama battle.

 

[UK!!!]

Rhavic, You are quickly becoming one of my favorite posters on here. I love you optimism, with fans getting back excited about Kentucky recruiting it will pay off big time. The B16BlueNation movement is taking off!

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
Not trying to throw cold water on the parade, but it would be totally unprecedented if Allen signed with UK. Most figure it's going to end up another LSU-Bama battle.

Unprecedented? Of course. But we're not aiming for the precedent anymore. We're aiming for unprecedented, and the fans will be a big part of that.
It's unprecedented for us to get the #1 center in the class, but there Drake is, pursuing the same goals that the fans are in having the best possible class to come to UK.
All we know is what Allen told us, which was that he loves the fans here. He took an unofficial, which is reason enough for us to give the kid our attention.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by UK!!!:
Rhavic, You are quickly becoming one of my favorite posters on here. I love you optimism, with fans getting back excited about Kentucky recruiting it will pay off big time. The B16BlueNation movement is taking off!

Much appreciated, UK!!!
This place needs a little optimism, and we have reasons to be optimistic. Things are really turning around, and this class has a ton of potential. We should help out however we can.
I'm very thrilled about the direction of this program!

 

[Boyz_N_Blue]

Originally posted by Rhavicc:

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
Not trying to throw cold water on the parade, but it would be totally unprecedented if Allen signed with UK. Most figure it's going to end up another LSU-Bama battle.

Unprecedented? Of course. But we're not aiming for the precedent anymore. We're aiming for unprecedented, and the fans will be a big part of that.
It's unprecedented for us to get the #1 center in the class, but there Drake is, pursuing the same goals that the fans are in having the best possible class to come to UK.
All we know is what Allen told us, which was that he loves the fans here. He took an unofficial, which is reason enough for us to give the kid our attention.

Of course - I'm following him now on Twitter as well - thanks for the link. Just telling you how things go down in the state of Louisiana. Top recruits don't leave. If they do it's to Bama. So while it's nice to get pumped up and follow someone on Twitter, it's also acceptable to have a dose of reality and realize it's a monumental task to land the big guy.

 

[Rhavicc]

Very true, but time will tell. There's nothing unrealistic about signing a big time OT when we already have two big time o-line players committed, and the kid is a fan.

 

[jauk11]

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
Not trying to throw cold water on the parade, but it would be totally unprecedented if Allen signed with UK. Most figure it's going to end up another LSU-Bama battle.

Maybe Bama is losing some steam, five straight #1 classes (USC beat them on Rivals this year) and they lost the NC two years in a row.

UK is still down but if we can win our share this year he will be joining a great class here, we now have the facilities, always have had the fans, and only need to have the coaches do as I expect them to for us to make a lot of noise this year.

The kingpin this year is our #1 center in the nation, who is a leader, we already have two four star OL and have an in with some other four star OL besides Allen, maybe he will be intrigued with a program on the rise with an intelligent leader at center calling signals and with the improved skill players that kind of OL would attract.

Things snowballed in the wrong direction for a while in recruiting, but I think this staff made a nice recovery, if things go right this year I could easily see it snowballing in a positive direction. A great start in recruiting in the 16 class already.

What is totally unprecedented is for UK to sign TEN four stars in one class coming off CONSECUTIVE two win (ZERO SEC wins) seasons when our average number of four star commits this century has been less than one.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by jauk11:

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
Not trying to throw cold water on the parade, but it would be totally unprecedented if Allen signed with UK. Most figure it's going to end up another LSU-Bama battle.

Maybe Bama is losing some steam, five straight #1 classes (USC beat them on Rivals this year) and they lost the NC two years in a row.

UK is still down but if we can win our share this year he will be joining a great class here, we now have the facilities, always have had the fans, and only need to have the coaches do as I expect them to for us to make a lot of noise this year.

The kingpin this year is our #1 center in the nation, who is a leader, we already have two four star OL and have an in with some other four star OL besides Allen, maybe he will be intrigued with a program on the rise with an intelligent leader at center calling signals and with the improved skill players that kind of OL would attract.

Things snowballed in the wrong direction for a while in recruiting, but I think this staff made a nice recovery, if things go right this year I could easily see it snowballing in a positive direction. A great start in recruiting in the 16 class already.

What is totally unprecedented is for UK to sign TEN four stars in one class coming off CONSECUTIVE two win (ZERO SEC wins) seasons when our average number of four star commits this century has been less than one.

This pretty much covers it. No reason we can't have another class like that!

 

[DACats86]

Good stuff, Rhavicc. Don't let the naysayers drag you down!

Another OL that UK has offered that you may want to look into is Clark Yarbrough: https://twitter.com/ClarkYarbrough

If UK were to land a couple of these guys to go along with Jackson and Young, they could easily have the nest OL class in the nation in 2016.

 

[Boyz_N_Blue]

I applaud the enthusiasm, but there are others more likely to land at UK than Allen. Don't take my word, ask any recruiting analyst. Go on HOB and ask Justin Rowland.

I guess Justin's a naysayer too?

 

[UK!!!]

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
I applaud the enthusiasm, but there are others more likely to land at UK than Allen. Don't take my word, ask any recruiting analyst. Go on HOB and ask Justin Rowland.

I guess Justin's a naysayer too?

It makes you a naysayer if you think Kentucky has zero chance, he has already visited once. He is good friends with Drake Jackson,

This post was edited on 2/6 1:05 PM by UK!!!

 

[Blue832]

No need for the water... Be happy.

 

[Hoskins21]

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
I applaud the enthusiasm, but there are others more likely to land at UK than Allen. Don't take my word, ask any recruiting analyst. Go on HOB and ask Justin Rowland.

I guess Justin's a naysayer too?

I agree. It will be extremely tough to land him. You're just being realistic. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:
I applaud the enthusiasm, but there are others more likely to land at UK than Allen. Don't take my word, ask any recruiting analyst. Go on HOB and ask Justin Rowland.

I guess Justin's a naysayer too?

No, I mean, it's not like we don't understand what you're saying lol. You're missing the entire point. We need to try to make these kids want to be here. We don't have the name in football like Alabama or LSU, so we need to approach it an entirely different way. Fan support is a big one. The current commitments are doing the same thing, it couldn't hurt to help them out however we can.
Too many fans here complain about recruiting, or how our o-line performed last season, but a lot of those same fans don't want to be active and get a hand in showing these kids why they should come to Kentucky and be a part of what we have going on here.
They like the attention, they want to go to a place where they know they'll be appreciated, and where they're noticed. We have the ability to do that, so why not?
I'm not saying focus all on one kid, I've put out a few names now. As previously mention, Clark Yarbrough is another OT we should all get into contact with on twitter, but we need to do what we can, that's all that I'm saying.
With respect to Justin Rowland or any other person that gets paid guessing the decision of a teenager, they still can only guess until a kid says otherwise, but for now, UK is in the mix.

 

[UK!!!]

I know what Justin said about Willie Allen, He said that Kentucky is aiming high, and that we can be selective at that position. That isn't being a naysayer.

 

[Boyz_N_Blue]

Originally posted by UK!!!:
I know what Justin said about Willie Allen, He said that Kentucky is aiming high, and that we can be selective at that position. That isn't being a naysayer.

Allen is an elite offensive line prospect from River Ridge (La.) John Curtis. Most of you are probably thinking, "LSU lock."

Understandable. Really, it is.

Generally
recruiting follows trends and norms that have held true for a long
time. Only a few schools, nationally, have the pull to go into the Bayou
and compete with LSU for that state's top prospects.

Kentucky recently offered Allen and it seems like that offer has made a bit more of an impact than some others.

 

[mrschwump]

I'd be concerned about Allen taking Jackson with him to Bama.

 

[UK!!!]

Originally posted by mrschwump:
I'd be concerned about Allen taking Jackson with him to Bama.

Not gonna happen, Drake is solid.

 

[JHB4UK]

Originally posted by mrschwump:
I'd be concerned about Allen taking Jackson with him to Bama.

You shouldn't be. He is our rock on which the 2016 class will be built (with him doing a lot of the building). Jackson is already taking on the roll Barker did for the '14 one, rallying guys to the class, forming strong bonding friendships which will prevent all the late flipping/decommit nonsense from our '15 class.

 

[mrschwump]

Originally posted by JHB4UK:

Originally posted by mrschwump:
I'd be concerned about Allen taking Jackson with him to Bama.

You shouldn't be. He is our rock on which the 2016 class will be built (with him doing a lot of the building). Jackson is already taking on the roll Barker did for the '14 one, rallying guys to the class, forming strong bonding friendships which will prevent all the late flipping/decommit nonsense from our '15 class.

Hope you're right but if '15 taught us anything it's black is white, white is black, and there's a lot of gray in between.

 

[Rhavicc]

Don't let one recruiting season scare you out of going after good recruits.

 

[RammerJammer91]

Allen is far from an LSU lock. He still may wind up in Baton Rouge, but he's not a lock. In fact, as of right now, I think he leaves the state.

 

[UK!!!]

Originally posted by Boyz_N_Blue:

Originally posted by UK!!!:
I know what Justin said about Willie Allen, He said that Kentucky is aiming high, and that we can be selective at that position. That isn't being a naysayer.

Allen is an elite offensive line prospect from River Ridge (La.) John Curtis. Most of you are probably thinking, "LSU lock."

Understandable. Really, it is.

Generally
recruiting follows trends and norms that have held true for a long
time. Only a few schools, nationally, have the pull to go into the Bayou
and compete with LSU for that state's top prospects.

Kentucky recently offered Allen and it seems like that offer has made a bit more of an impact than some others.

To me it looks like J.Rowland is saying that it understandable to think that he is a lock to LSU, but he isn't as much as a lock as some may think, considering the fact that the Kentucky offer made an impression on him.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

The state of Louisana always has kids leaving. Ya LSU gets a fair share of em but their are a lot of em that leave to other programs every year. Their is a lot of talent in that state.

 

[messecat]

Originally posted by mrschwump:

Originally posted by JHB4UK:

Originally posted by mrschwump:
I'd be concerned about Allen taking Jackson with him to Bama.

You shouldn't be. He is our rock on which the 2016 class will be built (with him doing a lot of the building). Jackson is already taking on the roll Barker did for the '14 one, rallying guys to the class, forming strong bonding friendships which will prevent all the late flipping/decommit nonsense from our '15 class.

Hope you're right but if '15 taught us anything it's black is white, white is black, and there's a lot of gray in between.

To me the 2015 Class proved that this staff knows great players. The way teams like Ohio State, Mich. St., Florida St., Stanford and other big name programs continued to actively recruit the UK verbal's shows that this staff will get it done when they can string together a few more wins on the field. Also the new Off. Co. also has ties to Louisiana so getting a player from that area may not be such a reach.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Did some checking on the state of Louisana and their are a ton of kids their who go on to play div 1 football. 90 kids with at least a 3 star rating. Of the top 10 kids in the state 6 went to LSU and the others all went to seperate schools like Notre Dame, Bama etc.

Lots of kids going to other programs

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Originally posted by RammerJammer91:
Allen is far from an LSU lock. He still may wind up in Baton Rouge, but he's not a lock. In fact, as of right now, I think he leaves the state.

Two state that are almost impossible to pull kids out of are Louisiana and even harder Alabama. Though Bama has been able to get some kids from Louisiana and I think A&M got one last year the majority of their kids stay in state. Bama on the other hand, about the only kid I can think of that has recently left the state is Jamis and I think both of the big dogs in Alabama figured he was going to bypass college football and go pro baseball until it was too late. I really wish Georgia kids were that devoted to instate schools, but they aren't.