Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football alums earn opportunities in the NFL

By Matthew Conner

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Connor Killian #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders intercepts the ball and runs it back against Romello Brooker #82 of the Houston Cougars in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Connor Killian #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders intercepts the ball and runs it back against Romello Brooker #82 of the Houston Cougars in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Dakota Allen – Los Angeles Rams

The lone Texas Tech draftee this year was linebacker Dakota Allen.  Becoming the first NFL draftee to ever have been featured on the Netflix documentary Last Chance U, Allen’s inspirational football journey is set to continue with the Los Angeles Rams, who took him in the seventh round.

By now, all Red Raider fans know the story of how Allen was kicked off the team after being arrested for breaking into a home in the offseason following a freshman campaign that saw him finish second on the team in tackles.   After a year at East Mississippi Junior College, he returned to Texas Tech for his final two collegiate seasons earning All-Big 12 recognition both years.

A two-time team captain, Allen racked up 262 career tackles while picking off four passes, recovering three fumbles and forcing another.  He had a career-high 16 tackles last fall in a loss at Iowa State, one of two double-digit tackle games on the season.

According to CBSSports.com writers R.J. White and Chris Trapasso, the Rams entered the draft needing to add talent at both inside and outside linebacker.  But of the seven picks the NFC champions made last week, Allen was the only linebacker they selected.  In free agency, they signed veteran outside LB Clay Matthews but he will fulfill a much different role than Allen would be asked to.

Texas Tech fans thought that Dakota Allen would be taken much sooner than the 4th-from-the-last pick in the draft.  However, he will have a shot in the NFL and if his history of overcoming adversity is any indication, he will make the most of any opportunity that comes his way.

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