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Texas Tech football alum Dakota Allen impresses in training camp

By Matthew Conner

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 27: Linebacker Dakota Allen #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with teammates defensive back Justus Parker #31, and defensive lineman Eli Howard #53 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after recovering a fumble in the end zone to score a touchdown in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cycloneswon 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - OCTOBER 27: Linebacker Dakota Allen #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with teammates defensive back Justus Parker #31, and defensive lineman Eli Howard #53 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after recovering a fumble in the end zone to score a touchdown in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cycloneswon 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Dakota Allen, a favorite among Texas Tech football fans for his inspirational journey, is making a great impression with the Los Angeles Rams and could be in line for serious playing time as a rookie.

It has been a long time since a player inspired Texas Tech football fans the way that former All-Big 12 linebacker Dakota Allen did.  One of the most humble, kind, and talented players to come through the program in the last decade, Allen’s journey from Tech to Last Chance U and back to Lubbock will forever be one of the more uplifting tales of redemption we have the pleasure of witnessing first-hand.

Now, it looks like Allen is quickly becoming a key part of what the Los Angeles Rams plan to do this season.  Despite being just a 7th round draft pick, Allen is likely to get a shot at some important snaps this year after an unfortunate injury befell one of this teammates.

Projected starting linebacker Micah Kiser suffered a pectoral muscle injury last Saturday in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys in Hawaii.  The injury required surgery meaning that Kiser’s is out indefinitely.

Fourth-year veteran Bryce Hagar, who has been primarily a special teams’ player, is the assumed replacement in the starting lineup despite the fact that he has just one career start in the NFL.  And with one key LB on the shelf and another veteran being elevated to a new role, that leaves a golden opportunity for Allen to make the team.

If Hagar’s role on special teams is decreased because of his new duties as a No. 1 LB, Allen is the type of player that could help fill the gap.  Recently, his head coach Sean McVay said that Allen has the skills necessary to be a quality special teams contributor.

"“He was a guy that really has great instincts and awareness, McVay told Mia Berry of the Los Angeles Times. “I think he’s a guy that you could potentially see him be a guy that contributes for ‘Bones,’ (referring to special teams coach John Fassel).More from Wreck'Em RedTexas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these MountaineersTexas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 titleTexas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives"

Through two preseason games, Allen is the Rams’ leading tackler with 12 stops, six in each game.  And against the Cowboys, he made some impressive plays including a well-timed huge hit in the backfield when the NFL Network was talking to his head coach last Saturday.

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1162940421183426560?s=20

If you are going to make a statement play like that, doing so when the head coach is diagnosing the play on national television is all the more impactful.  Of course, Red Raider fans expect nothing less from Allen after the impact he had on the Red Raiders in his career.

Earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018 and second-team honors in 2017, Allen was one of the most productive linebackers in the last two decades of Red Raider football.  He ended his career with 262 career tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 2.5 sacks.  And when he was selected by the Rams, he became the first player that appeared on the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U to be drafted by an NFL team.

dark. Next. Alan Bowman vs. other 2018 freshman QBs

Now it looks like he is continuing to beat the odds by making himself an important contributor for the Rams this preseason.  Though Allen is assured of nothing yet, he has already done more than most seventh-round picks usually do and forced his way into the conversation to make the 53-man roster.  If he does, it will be just the latest example of one of the most inspiring Red Raiders ever defying the odds.

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