Arizona football lands LSU transfer Jordan Allen

The Arizona Wildcats made a splash on Tuesday when LSU defensive end Jordan Allen decided Tucson would be his transfer destination, according to Daniel Berk of the Arizona Daily Star.

The #ArizonaWildcats have landed a commitment from LSU transfer Jordan Allen. Defensive end, 6-6, 254. Can play right away.

— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) April 29, 2014

Allen, who will be a fifth-year senior, graduated in December and as a graduate transfer will be able to contribute immediately. LSU released him from his scholarship so long as he joined a team outside the SEC and picked up a graduate degree the Tigers couldn't offer, and the 6-foot-6, 254 pound defensive end will have one year of eligibility remaining.

In 2013, Allen totaled 16 tackles that included two sacks despite losing his starting job early in the season. He missed most of the Tigers' 2012 season with an injury.

At Arizona for coach Rich Rodriguez, Allen has an opportunity to make an immediate impact. The Wildcats' small defensive line will be led by veterans Reggie Gilbert and Dan Pettinato, and while there are other viable bodies on the roster like Kirifi Taula and Luca Bruno, Allen should be able to find backup snaps, at worst.

And overall, the recruiting tactics by Rodriguez have become quite clear.

Jordan Allen gives Arizona two transfers from LSU, two from Texas, one from USC and one from Notre Dame, all eligible in 2014.

— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) April 30, 2014

The Wildcats are active and have found success adding immediate-impact transfers who have played for high-level D-I programs. Next season, Allen joins a list that also includes former Notre Dame receiver DaVonte' Neal, Texas transfers Connor Brewer and Cayleb Jones and one-time USC quarterback Jesse Scroggins. Quarterback Jerrard Randall, who like Allen once played at LSU, and former Boise State defensive lineman Jeff Worthy are also on the list of potentially impactful transfers who could help Arizona sooner rather than later.