Analysis: New Miami transfer RB Ajay Allen still has massive potential coming off 2022 injury
Nebraska transfer running back Ajay Allen, Miami’s latest addition to its offensive backfield, was on pace for a stellar freshman season before suffering a collarbone injury. But after reviewing his four games his freshman season, it’s clear the Hurricanes’ coaching staff sees the same potential Nebraska’s staff saw in the former four-star recruit.
Allen, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound back from Monroe (La.) and former four-star recruit by the On3 Industry Ranking, has four years of eligibility left after a 33-carry, 190-yard and two-touchdown freshman campaign for the Cornhuskers where he recorded at least nine touches in every contest after the season opener.
He even had nine total touches in Nebraska’s Red-White spring game, the second-most of any Cornhusker, rushing seven times for 18 yards behind a struggling offensive line and recording a pair of catches for 22 yards, before entering the transfer portal in mid-April.
So what did Miami see in its latest transfer addition?
Speed, vision, and perhaps, above all else, consistency when healthy – not to mention a still bright upside.
Allen’s speed, power and vision give him a poised yet explosive demeanor when he hits a hole hard. He had a season-long 23-yard run against Georgia Southern and averaged 5.8 yards per carry through four games before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury against Oklahoma, which allowed him to redshirt.
He was part of a two-pronged rushing attack between himself and Nebraska veteran running back Anthony Grant, who clearly established himself as the Huskers’ RB1, but he was poised to fight for the starting position as a sophomore. He was an idea running back to relieve pressure from Grant and occasionally be featured in two-back formations or split-back formations and attack downhill.
His production also came became an offensive line that struggled to find consistency, particularly in games like Northwestern and Oklahoma. Allen managed to find limited success against the Sooners before his injury, and he regularly exploited creases and holes in Nebraska’s zone-oriented running scheme – not wildly dissimilar to Miami’s, although perhaps with more spread formations.
Nebraska also effectively got the same version of him in all four games, which his numbers reflect. He had 11 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown against North Dakota; eight carries for 76 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Southern; and 11 carries for 49 yards against Oklahoma before his injury.
Allen didn’t see the field again his freshman season, but he was healthy enough for to participate in spring workouts and the spring game in April. Nothing suggests he won’t be fully available for the fall – barring injuries between now and then.
His Pro Football Focus grades?
He had an impressive 78.1% Pro Football Focus grade overall with a 79.8 run grade, 58.5 grade as a pass catcher and 40.4 grade in pass blocking, an area many young running backs struggle.
CaneSport previously wrote Allen was mired down the Nebraska depth chart this spring but was expected to have a major role on the team this season, so his departure surprised many.
It was clear after watching his tape he’ll need to work to improve as a pass blocker, but his overall balance of speed, power and vision should allow him to compete for a starting role along with backs like returning starter Henry Parrish, Don Chaney and true freshmen Mark Fletcher and Christopher Johnson (TreVonte’ Citizen’s status is unclear off a major knee injury last year).
And if he can stay healthy, Miami may have snagged itself a gem in the transfer portal.
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