After landing a big in-state commitment for the 2022 cycle earlier this week, coach Jedd Fisch has struck inside Arizona’s borders again, this time for the 2021 recruiting class.
On Sunday, Gilbert Highland linebacker/safety Ammon Allen announced his decision to play college football for the Cats.
STAYING HOME! 100% Committed!
— ammonjallen (@ammonjallen) February 1, 2021
⬇️ #ItsPersonal @CoachJeddFisch @FBCoachDBrown @chuckcecil26 @ArizonaFBall @farrel_brock @CoachDunbar2 pic.twitter.com/aASEJQX1cS
Allen is listed at 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds. His size makes him a prime candidate for the VIPER position in Don Brown’s defense. He can also gain more muscle and play outside linebacker.
“The new coaching staff there is amazing,” Allen told Sports360AZ. “I think they’re going to do great things in the next little bit, especially with (defensive coordinator Don Brown).
“They like how I smash. They like my size as well as a safety.”
Allen is not yet ranked in the 247Sports Composite rankings, but in their internal rankings he’s considered the No. 153 outside linebacker in the country and the 35th-best Arizona prospect in the 2021 class.
Besides Arizona, Allen holds offers from Air Force, Army, Eastern Michigan, Idaho, Morehead State, Navy, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona and South Dakota State.
I would not let his offer list nor his lack of a composite ranking be of concern. This is a recruitment that COVID impacted in a big way. After a senior season that saw Allen post 89 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, he made quite the impression. How big of an impression you ask?
Allen was selected as 2020’s NFF Mike Haynes Award Winner. The award goes to the best senior defensive back in Arizona. And he is in good company. Former winners include: Kelee Ringo (2020 Georgia signee), Noa Pola-Gates (2019 Nebraska signee), Donjae Logan (2018 Stanford signee), Isaiah Pola-Mao (2017 USC signee) and Byron Murphy (2016 Washington signee, now with the Arizona Cardinals).