By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
The University of Kentucky football roster features faces from a variety of places.
Despite the numerous geographic footprints inscribed in the team’s media guide, only one player has ties to New Jersey. That one player, newcomer Josh Allen, hasn’t experienced culture shock in his first two weeks with the Wildcats.
“It’s a wonderful program to be a part of,” he said. “With me being the only one from New Jersey, it’s just wonderful.”
A three-year stint in Alabama in his first three seasons in the prep ranks helped Allen understand what to expect when he arrived in Lexington.
“I lived in Alabama for a couple of years and there’s not much different from that,” he said. “It’s a big change going from high school to college, but I have gotten used to that and I’m fine.”
Allen, an all-state performer at Montclair High School, was known as one of the top defensive ends in the prep ranks and his skill set enables him to play either the linebacker or defensive end slots. Allen also gives the Wildcats more depth along a defensive front looking to replace Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith. Dupree, a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, is in his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Allen is aware of Kentucky’s defensive needs and hopes to contribute right away.
“I want to be the best player I can be,” Allen said. “I want to play my role and play it well. I see myself as the player they call on to get the job done.”
During the recruiting process, Big Blue Nation had a big hand in bringing Allen to the Bluegrass. Allen chose Kentucky over Buffalo and Monmouth.
“It’s a great fan base and the atmosphere here, the academics here is untouched, and the opportunity to play for coach (Mark) Stoops,” he said. “I believe he’s going to take us where we want to be. I feel real confident in him.”
Allen said the biggest change has been the classroom workload.
“That’s been about it,” he said.
Allen already has the first game, a Sept. 5 opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, marked on his calendar.
“I just want to get the cameras rolling,” he said. “We want to win the first game and take it step by step after that. I’m looking forward to Louisiana Lafayette because it’s the opener and I can show my talents and get a chance to play and just show what I can do.”
Allen said his biggest attribute is his “athletic ability” and his family roots provide insights into his skills. His sister Myisha Hines-Allen is a member of the women’s basketball team at the University of Louisville, while another sibling (LaTorri Hines-Allen) played collegiately at Virginia Tech. Allen’s uncle, Gregory Hines, played basketball at Hampton and also competed for 12 years in the professional ranks.
“I’m getting used to all of the plays and learning the new system,” he said. “I’m going to get it. It’s going real smooth and it’s a process.”
Redshirt for Eli Brown
Eli Brown, four-star standout at Warren East High School in Bowling Green, plans to take advantage of his first season with the Wildcats. Brown, a linebacker, who chose Kentucky over Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Louisville, Western Kentucky and Vanderbilt, will redshirt this season. Brown already has a grasp of the playbook and wants to concentrate on improving his strength.
“I want to just get healthy, bigger and stronger,” he said. “I’ve put on a lot of weight. I feel different. If I felt the way I’m feeling in high school right now, it would have been a different outcome. It’s the best I’ve felt in about five years.”
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports reporter for KyForward.com.