Allen a complete player
Hamilton, Ohio, coach Jim Place knows he's got a special player on his hands with safety Denicos Allen. Place uses words like "special," "total football player," and "complete" to describe him, and when words like that are used scholarship offers are often quick to follow.
And they have.
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"On paper, he's gotten offers from Cincinnati, Iowa and Northwestern," Place said about Allen. "He likes all three of those, plus he's getting a lot of Big Ten attention from other schools like Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State."
So why are schools after Allen?
"He's 6-foot and 210 pounds, and his best time in the 100 meters is 10.9 seconds," Place said. "He's a do-it-all type kid. He was also the district champion in wrestling at 220 pounds."
Place said on the football field he's amazing.
"Denicos is a total football player," Place said. "He gives 100 percent on every play. He will play middle linebacker and running back for us next year. He's a 3.0 student, a great person with character, and he plays with great passion."
Place thinks Allen is a can't miss prospect.
"He can play at the highest level," Place said. "His only drawback is where he will play in college. He's so versatile, he can play a number of different positions."
And play them well.
At Hamilton, Denicos is used primarily at inside linebacker, but the Big Blue also utilizes his athleticism on special teams and occasionally as a running back. In fact, he had a remarkable 85 yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Princeton last season.