All signs point to Wyoming QB Josh Allen entering 2018 NFL Draft
If there was any chance Josh Allen would come back for his senior season at Wyoming, it’s pretty much out the window now.
During his first season as a starter last year, Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen emerged as an NFL prospect. Size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds), mobility (523 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns) and working under the head coach that recruited Carson Wentz were all points in Allen’s favor.
But Allen’s follow-up this year has not been nearly as good, with 13 touchdown passes and 1,658 yards through 10 games. But he has added five rushing touchdowns, and the Cowboys were 7-3 with five wins in their last six games entering Saturday’s game against Fresno State.
A shoulder injury suffered last week against Air Force kept Allen out of action on Saturday, as Wyoming lost 13-7 with Nick Smith as the starting quarterback. But Allen did take part in pre-game activities on Senior Day in Laramie, even though he technically has a year of eligibility remaining.
Allen was announced as if he was a senior. Probably says something about whether he will return next season. #GoWyo
— Brandon Foster #timeforchange (@BFoster91) November 18, 2017
Being treated as a senior even though he’s not one is a clear sign Allen has made his plan to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft known already. But if we need another (maybe even better) sign, there’s this from head coach Craig Bohl during his post-game press conference on Saturday.
Craig Bohl says in his postgame press conference he does not expect Josh Allen to return to Wyoming in 2018. “I would say no.” #GoWyo
— Brandon Foster #timeforchange (@BFoster91) November 18, 2017
Allen is among the top quarterback prospects this year who have not had great collegiate seasons, right next to Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold. But he’s still considered a likely first-round pick, and the pre-draft opinions ranging from Allen possibly being the first quarterback taken to everyone “makes excuses for him” have already started.
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Allen’s status for next Saturday’s regular season finale against 1-11 San Jose State is unclear. But if his shoulder issue continues to linger at all, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sits out a winnable game for Wyoming. Then if the health of his shoulder is at all a question a few weeks from now, the debate can start as to if Allen should play in a mid-tier bowl game with his intention to go pro so clear.