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College Football Week 3: NFL Draft big board rankings

By Nathaniel Reeves

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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10 SEP 2016: Penn State Nittany Lions Safety Marcus Allen (2) during the NCAA Football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Photo by Mark Alberti/ Icon Sportswire)
10 SEP 2016: Penn State Nittany Lions Safety Marcus Allen (2) during the NCAA Football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Photo by Mark Alberti/ Icon Sportswire) /
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Marcus Allen

S, Penn State

While somewhat overshadowed by the star power on the Penn State offense, Allen has quickly come into his own as one of the best safety prospects in the current draft.

Allen enjoyed one of the most productive games of his career in the 33-14 victory over rival Pittsburgh with 12 total tackles, a stop behind the line of scrimmage, and a pass breakup. The senior safety helped hold a Panthers offense that was quite explosive in 2016 to just 187 passing yards and already has 15 tackles on the season.

A three-star recruit out of high school in Maryland, Allen carved out a role on the Penn State defense almost immediately before putting up huge numbers as a sophomore in 2015. Allen took things to the next level for the Big Ten Champions last season with 110 tackles, six tackles for loss, three pass swats, and a forced fumble.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound playmaker has added more bulk to his frame since arriving at Penn State and is regarded as one of the most punishing hitters in college football. NFL scouts will also favor Allen’s aggressiveness, but he needs to develop more in man-to-man coverage to ensure a first-round selection.

Allen has played very well so far in 2017, and can continue stuffing the stat sheet on Saturday afternoon against Georgia State.

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