Below is the PFF draft profile for Michigan State center Jack Allen, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position fit:
Center. Zone scheme
Stat to know:
Second-highest-graded Power-5 center in 2014
Combine stats:
Height: 6-1
Weight: 294
Arm length: 32 ¼ inches
Hand size: 10 ⅛ inches
Bench: 23 reps
40-yard dash: 5.29 seconds
Broad jump: 8-5 inches
3-cone drill: 7.90 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.73 seconds
What he does best:
–Ability to lock in on the move is top-notch. One of the highest-graded players in the class on zone runs despite that making up only 40 percent of Michigan State’s run plays this past year
–Plays extremely low and almost never loses the leverage battle. Even if he doesn’t win with his hands right away, he’ll still create movement on defensive tackles
–Back-to-back seasons of quality grading and with only a few negatively graded games over that span
Biggest concern:
–Doesn’t have the explosiveness out of his stance that some centers in the class possess. Below-average athlete. Not sure he’ll be able to consistently get the angle on nose tackles at the next level
–Length gives him some problems. Often left grasping at air if defensive tackle makes the first contact
–Inconsistent with his hands and it causes him to lose very quickly. Will lead with his shoulder to deliver a blow and have his arms low and by his sides. Was especially an issue on gap runs where he graded out negatively for the year
Bottom line:
He may have a limited upside by his athleticism and size, but Allen is one of the cleaner center prospects in this draft.