RECRUITING: Allen Received More than a Tour

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Les Miles extends offer to West Monroe junior defensive lineman.

by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst

Once again it was a busy weekend on the LSU campus as coach Les Miles and his staff hosted a few visitors for the Class of 2009 as well as several members of the Class of 2010 for the Tigers’ Junior Day. One of the junior visitors making the tour was West Monroe High School product Jordan Allen.

After recording 70 tackles (9TFL), nine sacks, two blocked field goals, and one blocked punt in which he returned for a score, the All-State defensive lineman created some attention for himself. Some of the nation’s top collegiate programs began sending letters and information about their university in hopes of landing the 6-foot-5, 250-pound big-man to their roster.

Nebraska was the first team to extend an offer to Allen, and on Saturday he received his second when he was face-to-face with LSU’s headman.

“I sat down and talked with coach Miles and he said he wanted me to go to school there,” Allen confirmed. “He said he will be sending me a written, more formal offer in the mail, so I guess you could say he gave me a verbal offer.”

Hearing the offer come out of coach Miles’ mouth gave Allen a feeling he will never forget.

“It was like a chill,” Allen explained. “It was like getting a Christmas present you thought you might get
and once you get it you’re like wow! It was a good feeling.

“While we were talking he said I have everything he wanted in a player,” Allen added. “We talked about the history of West Monroe football and he said all of the players that come out of West Monroe are well coached. He said if I’d go there I’d easily put on 20-30 pounds during my freshman year.”

Before receiving the verbal contract offer from Miles, Allen was given a grand tour of the campus.

“I saw the campus and it seemed like it had everything I was looking for in a school,” Allen admitted. “I
loved it. First, we went to the indoor practice facility, We got into groups and in my group it was
mainly guys from Louisiana. We saw the training/workout room and they showed us a video of what goes on in there.

“They said on light running days the players run close to 600 yards and on heavy running days, they might run as much as 3,500 yards,” Allen continued. “They showed us some exercised and said they focus on the snatch clean. They said that’s really important for the linemen.”

That was only the beginning of the tour as Allen still had a ways to go.

“Next, we went into the film room and coach Miles gave a presentation,” Allen stated. “We saw some great videos. Then from there the players split up from their parents. The parents went into another room to learn about the academic and G.P.A requirements for LSU.

“The players we into their position rooms,” Allen said. “I went into the defensive end room. They showed us drills the defensive ends go through at practice. They are taught things like foot and hand placement. I got a lot out of it. Then they went over what it takes to stay eligible and to get into LSU grade and academic’s wise.”

At this point the tour was halfway over and it was time to eat!

“After our positional meeting we took a bus over to the stadium,” Allen informed. “They took us up to one of the levels and we ate. It was good food. After I was finished eating I was on my way to the bathroom and I ran into coach ‘Stud’. He said that coach Miles wanted to talk to us. So I went and got my parents and one of the administrative people took us to coach Miles’ office.

“We talked with coach Miles for like 30-45 minutes and he was basically telling all that I could get out of LSU if I decided to go to school there.” Allen continued. “Then we went to the Auditorium for an academic presentation. I loved it! I got a lot of that as well. It seemed like they were willing to do anything for you to get out of there with your diploma.”

According to Allen his trip to LSU was a blast. It was the best he had ever seen. However, it was the only place he had ever seen and that is why he believes he still has more investigating to do.

“LSU really had everything I wanted in a school, but I haven’t seen anywhere else,” Allen claimed. ”So I might as well take some trips. I want to see every place that I can. I do not plan on committing to
anyone until my senior season is over.”

As Allen had previously stated to TigerRag.com location will play a major factor in his decision because his dad does not like to fly. So will there be a boundary for his visits to other schools?

“No,” Allen answered with a laugh. “My dad would drive to New York if I went to school up there, but then he probably wouldn’t make it to many of my games.”