Wildcats make their final pitch to Allen

Garden City (Kan.) Community College four-star defensive end Rodney Allen, a Kansas commitment, was the center of attention for four Kansas State coaches this afternoon as the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder listened for the final time to the Wildcats' recruiting pitch.

Allen said the pitch didn't work.

"My mind is right on KU," Allen said. "I'm not going to tell you a lie. It's tough, though, being down here. Everybody in the town is telling me about how I need to go to K-State instead of KU. Everybody that I talk to in town is telling me that I'm not doing the right thing."

Allen said K-State brought in Bill Snyder, Bobby Elliott, Chris Cosh and Joe Bob Clements to make their final recruiting pitch. Kansas had already made its in-home visit with him earlier this week.

"They were telling me about all the players that came through Kansas State that went to the NFL and did great things," Allen said. "I liked hearing that part, but I got the feeling that I was kind of being pressured. Maybe it's because everybody else is talking about them all the time, because the coaches were pretty cool and I really liked them.

"I want to hurry up and sign so everybody can stop talking to me about this. I've made up my mind, and it's time to get the paper and sign with KU."

Allen said he will do just that next week. He does not expect to have any special signing ceremony.

"I'm just going to get up like any other day and send the paperwork in," he said.