Today we take a look at a player that jumped into the spotlight in the two biggest games of the year in 2019. Although the results weren't what we wanted, the experience gained was invaluable.
21 – QB Aaron Allen (RS SO) – Allen signed with La Tech in the 2018 recruiting cycle out of Missouri City, TX and Ridge Point HS. In addition to Tech, Allen held offers from North Texas, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky, UNLV, Rice, Texas State, ULM, and New Mexico.
Allen redshirted in 2018 but did see action in 2 games, completing 3/6 for 47 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
In 2019, Allen began the season as the 3rd string signal caller behind J’Mar Smith and Westin Elliott. After Elliott had some turnover issues in his early season appearances and Allen went a combined 7/7 for 106 yards and a TD against Bowling Green and UMass, Allen won the back-up QB job.
In fact, when Smith was suspended late in the year, Allen made the first two starts of his career at Marshall and UAB. Trial by fire, the conference championship was on the line. He didn’t play bad, especially for a RS FR, completing 35/66 for 332 yards and 2 TDs with no turnovers. The negative side was that he wasn’t overly impressive and Tech lost both contests.
In 2017 and 2018, many fans begged to see the back-up QB, they got their wish in 2019. It was pretty clear, like I said, the back-ups just weren’t ready yet, but Allen did show some promise. For the season, he completed 43/75 (57%) for 446 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
Looking at him as a player, I know we talked a lot about his arm strength in the games he started, but I think he has average arm strength for a collegiate QB. He’s got good accuracy. I think he’s a better runner than he showed in his two starts. In both starts, he seemed unsure of himself at times, but he was a RS FR playing on in his first meaningful action on the road. To me, that is to be expected, but it will pay off down the road.
Looking ahead to 2020, obviously Luke Anthony was brought in from Abilene Christian to be the starter at QB. Hypothetically that gives Allen another year to mature before taking over the starting job in 2021. I think he’s the starter in 2021, with everything that I know now about the QB room.
How does the lack of spring practice impact him in the “QB Competition” this fall? I think it helps him, but I don’t think it makes up for the additional 1,500+ snaps that Anthony has played in college football. I will say this, I do feel pretty good about the back-up situation entering 2020. I know for certain that Allen can come in and give Tech a chance to win, at a minimum.
Thoughts on Allen entering 2020?
21 – QB Aaron Allen (RS SO) – Allen signed with La Tech in the 2018 recruiting cycle out of Missouri City, TX and Ridge Point HS. In addition to Tech, Allen held offers from North Texas, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky, UNLV, Rice, Texas State, ULM, and New Mexico.
Allen redshirted in 2018 but did see action in 2 games, completing 3/6 for 47 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
In 2019, Allen began the season as the 3rd string signal caller behind J’Mar Smith and Westin Elliott. After Elliott had some turnover issues in his early season appearances and Allen went a combined 7/7 for 106 yards and a TD against Bowling Green and UMass, Allen won the back-up QB job.
In fact, when Smith was suspended late in the year, Allen made the first two starts of his career at Marshall and UAB. Trial by fire, the conference championship was on the line. He didn’t play bad, especially for a RS FR, completing 35/66 for 332 yards and 2 TDs with no turnovers. The negative side was that he wasn’t overly impressive and Tech lost both contests.
In 2017 and 2018, many fans begged to see the back-up QB, they got their wish in 2019. It was pretty clear, like I said, the back-ups just weren’t ready yet, but Allen did show some promise. For the season, he completed 43/75 (57%) for 446 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
Looking at him as a player, I know we talked a lot about his arm strength in the games he started, but I think he has average arm strength for a collegiate QB. He’s got good accuracy. I think he’s a better runner than he showed in his two starts. In both starts, he seemed unsure of himself at times, but he was a RS FR playing on in his first meaningful action on the road. To me, that is to be expected, but it will pay off down the road.
Looking ahead to 2020, obviously Luke Anthony was brought in from Abilene Christian to be the starter at QB. Hypothetically that gives Allen another year to mature before taking over the starting job in 2021. I think he’s the starter in 2021, with everything that I know now about the QB room.
How does the lack of spring practice impact him in the “QB Competition” this fall? I think it helps him, but I don’t think it makes up for the additional 1,500+ snaps that Anthony has played in college football. I will say this, I do feel pretty good about the back-up situation entering 2020. I know for certain that Allen can come in and give Tech a chance to win, at a minimum.
Thoughts on Allen entering 2020?
