cajun
05-16-2008, 01:45 PM
Best of luck...
Former Klein Collins offensive lineman Matt Allen seemingly had it all in front of him at LSU.
A Rivals 250 member from the class of 2006, Allen had played on a national championship team last season and was backing up senior Herman Johnson at offensive guard.
However, with a change in offensive line coaches, the 6-foot-3, 290 pound Allen decided that the Tigers weren't the program for him any more. He asked for and was granted his release from LSU approximately two weeks ago and it started the recruiting process all over again.
Allen contacted coaches at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M after his release but early in the process decided that if new A&M boss Mike Sherman wanted him, he would be headed to College Station.
"Coming out of high school, they were pretty much my top choice" Allen said of the Aggies. "It's only an hour and twenty minutes from home. I went to A&M one last time before going on my official visit to LSU. I was hoping something would come of that but it never did so I went to my second choice."
Thursday evening, that's exactly what happened.
"I talked to Coach Sherman yesterday and he asked me if I wanted to join the team" said Allen. "I was pretty excited. I can't wait to get down there."
Allen was asked if the new staff was a big influence on his decision to transfer to College Station
"I really liked the staff" he said. "They are going to a power offense with quick, fast, strong lineman. I think I fit the mold pretty well."
How does Allen feel about offensive line coach Jim Turner?
"I think he's a real good coach" Allen said. "He sounded real stern. I think he's going to keep everyone real disciplined. He will mold all of the offensive linemen into one unit. I think he'll do real well."
Ironically enough, Allen is a former high school teammate of A&M running back Mike Goodson.
"I talked to him yesterday" said Allen. "He was pretty excited."
Allen will have to sit out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules. However, he still has two years of eligibility remaining and is expected to provide immediate help in 2009 to an offensive line that lost four starters from the 2007 team including NFL draftees Cody Wallace and Corey Clark.
Allen is the highest rated offensive lineman (per Rivals.com) to join A&M since Michael Shumard (also a four star prospect) signed with the Aggies in 2005. Allen is rated as a strong drive blocker with good feet and should fit in well with the Aggies' zone blocking schemes that they will be using in the pro style offense that Sherman and offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell have installed.
http://tamu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=808377
Former Klein Collins offensive lineman Matt Allen seemingly had it all in front of him at LSU.
A Rivals 250 member from the class of 2006, Allen had played on a national championship team last season and was backing up senior Herman Johnson at offensive guard.
However, with a change in offensive line coaches, the 6-foot-3, 290 pound Allen decided that the Tigers weren't the program for him any more. He asked for and was granted his release from LSU approximately two weeks ago and it started the recruiting process all over again.
Allen contacted coaches at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M after his release but early in the process decided that if new A&M boss Mike Sherman wanted him, he would be headed to College Station.
"Coming out of high school, they were pretty much my top choice" Allen said of the Aggies. "It's only an hour and twenty minutes from home. I went to A&M one last time before going on my official visit to LSU. I was hoping something would come of that but it never did so I went to my second choice."
Thursday evening, that's exactly what happened.
"I talked to Coach Sherman yesterday and he asked me if I wanted to join the team" said Allen. "I was pretty excited. I can't wait to get down there."
Allen was asked if the new staff was a big influence on his decision to transfer to College Station
"I really liked the staff" he said. "They are going to a power offense with quick, fast, strong lineman. I think I fit the mold pretty well."
How does Allen feel about offensive line coach Jim Turner?
"I think he's a real good coach" Allen said. "He sounded real stern. I think he's going to keep everyone real disciplined. He will mold all of the offensive linemen into one unit. I think he'll do real well."
Ironically enough, Allen is a former high school teammate of A&M running back Mike Goodson.
"I talked to him yesterday" said Allen. "He was pretty excited."
Allen will have to sit out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules. However, he still has two years of eligibility remaining and is expected to provide immediate help in 2009 to an offensive line that lost four starters from the 2007 team including NFL draftees Cody Wallace and Corey Clark.
Allen is the highest rated offensive lineman (per Rivals.com) to join A&M since Michael Shumard (also a four star prospect) signed with the Aggies in 2005. Allen is rated as a strong drive blocker with good feet and should fit in well with the Aggies' zone blocking schemes that they will be using in the pro style offense that Sherman and offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell have installed.
http://tamu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=808377