Letter of intent No. 1: Running back Michael Allen
The first letter of intent comes from three-star running back Michael Allen of Greenville (N.C.) Rose High.
Here is a full bio on Allen.
Stats
• Senior: Allen rushed 158 times for 1,169 yards and 18 touchdowns, and caught 43 passes for 643 yards and eight scores in 16 games this season. Allen returned eight kicks for 157 yards (19.6 average), and he’s also 1 of 2 passing for 30 yards with an interception.
• Junior: He ran 21 times for 235 yards and one touchdown, and caught eight receptions for 71 yards and a score.
• Sophomore: He ran 128 times for 906 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games, plus caught 24 passes for 284 yards and five scores. He also returned 10 kickoffs for an average of 23.7 yards.
Ratings
• Rivals.com: Three stars, No. 14 running back in the country and No. 12 overall player in the state of North Carolina.
• 247Sports: Four stars, No. 20 running back in the country and No. 6 overall player in the state.
• ESPN: Four stars, No. 16 running back nationally and No. 7 overall player in the state.
Scouting Report From Rose Coach Will Bland
Greenville (N.C.) Rose senior running back Michael Allen closed his senior season strong in the playoffs and there was a reason for that.
Rose High coach Will Bland wanted to make sure Allen was fresh for the playoffs, so he was sort of on a “pitch count.” He had torn his meniscus last spring and needed some time to shake off the rust.
“Michael Allen has turned it up this playoffs, and has been one of our go-to guys,” Bland said. “He’s a different breed. He’s unselfish. He’s not one of those guys who are like, ‘Give me the ball, give me the ball.’ If he can be a decoy out here, he’ll be a decoy.
“When the game is on the line, you want to give that guy the ball. He makes things happen.”
In the first five playoff games, he rushed 64 times for 569 yards and 10 touchdowns, and caught 13 passes for 162 yards and two scores. The NCHSAA 3A title game didn’t go as well. He rushed five times for 12 yards, and caught five passes for 33 yards in a 69-40 loss to Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley on Dec. 10.
“In that first scrimmage [in August], he had to get that initial hit to his leg,” Bland said. “I think our coaching staff did a great job of protecting Mike. We made sure to not overuse him. We made sure he had his touches, but not have him for the playoffs [by over-using him]. Now, the playoffs came and he got the ball at least 20-25 times a game.
“He has looked fresh and he has looked fast and he looked healthy. He’s prime for big things.”
Allen’s versatility helped him line up in the slot and tailback, and he showed he was also a good teammate.
“Michael Allen is such a dynamic person,” Bland said. “If he runs certain plays, you have to account for him. We use him in a ton of ways, but he’s going to get his touches in the game. If he can get loose, then he’s a special player to watch.”
Bland said Allen did consider the hometown East Carolina Pirates, but the chance to try to something new and different, plus play in the ACC made NC State his eventual pick.
“He grew up watching the Pirates,” Bland said. “They were very, very high on the list. I think it had a little bit due for him to get away from home. He’s been here, he’s seen and he wanted to go out there and try something a little bit different. Home will always be there.
“It is ACC ball. NC State has some great running backs and Andre Brown went there from Rose. He wanted to show what he could do on a big stage.”
Honors/Accomplishments
Helped lead Greenville Rose to the NCHSAA 3A state title game.
Recruitment
Allen picked NC State on June 18 over offers from North Carolina, East Carolina, Louisville and South Carolina, among others. He was offered by the Wolfpack on April 1, 2020.
Recruiters of Record
NC State running backs coach Kurt Roper and cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell.
Quotable
“It still feels like family. Coach [Kurt] Roper, Coach [Dave] Doeren, Coach [Tim] Beck, they did a great job. They all did a great job making me feel like home. It’s like I am from Raleigh or grew up in Raleigh. I’m loving it.” — Michael Allen
2022 Projection
Allen could end up being needed next year, but likely will redshirt.
Highlights
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