Kazmeir

Allen

As a former elite recruit who didn’t pan out over two years at running back, Allen probably feels a certain kinship to new UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet, who displaced him as the Bruins’ RB of the future after signing as a transfer from Michigan this offseason. But whereas Charbonnet fled southwest after his initial collegiate destination didn’t pan out, Allen stuck it out with Chip Kelly and worked through a transition to slot receiver. Today’s production came mostly via a 44-yard TD reception, but it is worth noting that it was a downfield throw where Allen made a fabulous adjustment on the ball to snag it and take it to the house. It’s worth keeping an eye on his progress this fall.

No reason was given as to why the three running backs, or nine players overall including starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, have been made inactive for Saturday’s game. With Allen, Irby and Jones all sidelined the Bruins won’t have much depth behind starter Demetric Felton, who leads the team in carries (35) and rushing yards (164) through the team’s first two games, and backup Brittain Brown. Add in Thompson-Robinson and UCLA will be without the only players who have more than 100 rushing yards on the season.

HC Chip Kelly had no update on the status of Allen (5'8/174) at the beginning of the week after the sophomore missed the season opener at Cincinnati, and that remains the case. At this point it is anyone’s guess when Allen will be able to suit up and provide additional depth at the running back position. UCLA hosts Oklahoma Sept. 14.

Allen (5'8/174), who was slowed by an ankle injury during fall camp, did not play in the season opener due to an unspecified academic issue. With starter Joshua Kelley (knee) also out, UCLA was without its top two running backs in the 24-14 defeat. That left junior Demetric Felton to shoulder the load, and he rushed for 71 yards on 23 carries while also catching two passes for 91 yards and a score. As for Allen, we’ll have to wait and see if he’s available to play in Saturday’s game vs. San Diego State.

Allen (5'8/174) was one of two running backs that were a full go Saturday after being limited in the days prior, with freshman Jahmon McClendon being the other. Those two being able to participate fully in Saturday’s practice is good news for UCLA, as redshirt senior and returning starter Joshua Kelley is still limited to individual conditioning due to a knee injury. Allen appeared in nine games as a freshman, rushing for 188 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries while also catching seven passes for 35 yards and another score.

Allen (5'8/175) has missed UCLA’s last two games due to injury, leaving the Bruins with one less option in the backfield. The freshman running back performed well in UCLA’s season-opening loss to Cincinnati, breaking off a 74-yard run and finishing the game with 103 yards and a touchdown on five carries. However, since racking up ten carries in the Week 2 loss to Oklahoma, Allen’s had a total of 14 carries in his six appearances since.

According to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Daily News, Allen is someone who can play out of the backfield, in the slot, and as a kick returner. Allen (5'8/175) is a former CIF State 100-meter champion and a Rivals four-star recruit. With Joshua Kelly and Bolu Olorunfunmi as the primary running backs, Allen is destined for a small role, but he could be an intriguing weapon in Kelly’s fast offense.

Allen, pegged as a player to watch in the lead-up to Saturday’s season-opener, broke a 74-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that at the time tied the game at 17. Given the injury suffered by starting QB Wilton Speight, and UCLA’s general lack of big plays against Cincinnati, Allen could be a player Chip Kelly looks to get more touches moving forward. Next up for Allen and company is a matchup with Oklahoma Sept. 8 in Norman.