Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 44 Days (Thomas Allen)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2020 Hoosier Huddle Countdown is past halfway and we have reached the middle of the defense: the linebackers. Today’s feature is on a redshirt junior from a very popular state for the IU staff. Thomas Allen, a linebacker with lots of game experience, wears the number 44 and is the son of Tom Allen…otherwise known as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers.

Name – Thomas Allen

Position – Linebacker

Hometown – Tampa, Florida (Plant High School)

Height – 6’3”

Weight – 237 pounds

Thomas Allen started his high school career in Oxford, Mississippi as his father worked at Ole Miss. He played linebacker in 2013 and 2014 and then moved to Plant High School in Tampa as Tom Allen took the defensive coordinator position for South Florida. He starred at Plant next to current Hoosier Micah McFadden and there was no question where he was going to play collegiate football: he wanted to play for his dad and his dad was in Bloomington.

Allen enrolled early in 2017 and redshirted that season, preparing to step into the defense in 2018. Allen made an impact as a redshirt freshman, playing in all 12 games and garnering 28 tackles on the season. He also had his first interception and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. His redshirt sophomore campaign looked like it would continue his progression but he suffered a couple of injuries, including a season-ending shoulder injury. Unfortunately, he only got to appear in eight games and was limited during those contests.

Thomas Allen enters the 2020 season as one of IU’s bigger and more veteran linebackers. However, he is recovering from an injury and he is firmly behind at least Micah McFadden and Cam Jones. I think he’s likely behind James Miller as well and the Hoosiers only field two linebackers in most scenarios. Allen’s first priority is to get healthy. Once that is done, he’ll compete with D.K. Bonhomme, Aaron Casey, Cameron Williams and perhaps true freshman Ty Wise for snaps. He has inherited the leadership skills of his father and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack raved about his mentorship of young players: “He’s trying to consider what he wants to do after college. I’m going to try to convince that dude to coach. The way he carries himself, the way he knows this defense. He’s been around it since he’s been an eight grader. To have all those things, the knowledge and understanding and confidence he has for these young guys. That knowledge that he brings is invaluable.”

Allen is a very solid tackler and his size is an asset against the run so he will definitely see some playing time and he still has two seasons of eligibility remaining to continue making his mark.