Texas locks in Rivals250 safety Bryan Allen

One of the nation's best safeties spent the past year committed to an out-of-state team in LSU. Now, Bryan Allen Jr. is eyeing a fit at home.

Allen, a Rivals250 defensive back out of North Texas powerhouse Aledo (Texas) High, is the latest in-state domino to fall for the Longhorns under first-year coach Steve Sarkisian. Allen follows fellow notable in-state recruits like Evan Stewart, Jaydon Blue, Armani Winfield, Jaylon Guilbeau and Trevell Johnson as early pledges in the Horns' 2022 haul.

Entering the day, Texas' class was sitting No. 6 nationally on Rivals.

Texas was an early offer for Allen, who's tabbed as the nation's No. 8 safety and No. 162 overall player. Sarkisian and new defensive backs coach Terry Joseph were quick to reaffirm that offer once they settled in on The Forty Acres.

"I loved it," Allen told Rivals of being offered, again, by the Longhorns. "I've probably said this before, but getting a Texas offer and being from Texas is huge. I can say I've been offered twice from home team."

"Just actually being recruited by Texas," Allen added on his commitment. "They were actually one of my top schools the first time (around). It was just a couple things that was I guess not there at the time."

Now, Allen is the seventh commitment for those Longhorns. Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M were also contenders.

The four-star safety has a strong resume, capturing District 4-5A-II Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors first as a freshman at Fort Worth Southwest and then received the same honor in 2019, his first at Aledo. As a junior, Allen earned All-District 5-5A honors at safety

Allen is a true center fielder at safety with the ability to cover a ton of ground and enforce the middle of the field -- whether it's in the form of run defense or in-coverage. He's a versatile, well-rounded free safety with the versatility to cover one-on-one in addition to big-play potential when he can play over the top of receivers and make plays on the ball in mid-air.

As a junior, Allen flashed with his physical style of play. He managed 80 solo tackles as a sophomore to go along with three picks and three fumbles forced. This past season, Allen was a consensus All-Area player contributing two more picks along with 67 tackles, 59 of which were solo, en route to a consecutive Class 5A Division II championship.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder shows great range up top to assist in coverage or even slide down into the slot. Allen is long and his wingspan allows him to be especially disruptive in coverage and battle for the ball even after the catch.

Allen shines at attacking the ball at its highest point and effectively competes for balls. He's also not shy about flowing down into the box as an added run defender. He takes direct paths to the ball, is a sure tackler and his length gives him an added edge when making plays in open space.

This past season, Allen showed good range and physicality, delivering timely hits throughout games.