Allen needs to clear final hurdle before draft

Posted Mar 31, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Mar 31, 2010 at 01:18 PM

USF’s Nate Allen is considered by many analysts as the third-best safety available in next month’s NFL draft behind Tennessee’s Eric Berry and USC’s Taylor Mays.

However, he still has one big hurdle to clear before draft day: running the highly regarded 40-yard dash for scouts.

A quad injury has hampered Allen in preparing for the draft. He almost sprinted Tuesday at USF’s Pro Day but decided otherwise after warming up.

“I was close, and then I just started thinking if I blow it out today, I definitely won’t be able to run in two weeks,’’ Allen said. “That’s why I shut it off and waited.’’

Allen has private workouts for the Chiefs, Cowboys and Falcons coming up, and expects to add to that list in the coming days.

He participated in his position drills Tuesday, and his 34.5-inch vertical leap was the best of the day. However, after failing to run the 40 at the NFL combine last month and again Tuesday, Allen knows he still has questions to answer.

“Definitely,’’ he responded when asked if not running the 40 has hurt his draft stock. “Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can get it, because I need to. It’s basically like a track meet out there and you have to come out and perform.’’

Otherwise, Allen is confident he has represented himself well in interviews and other physical drills.

“It’s been a great experience,’’ he said. “At first when you meet some of these coaches at the combine and stuff, you are a little bit star-struck, but after that it’s really a job interview.’’

Draftcountdown.com has Allen going to the Chiefs in the second round. Here is the latest scouting report on Allen.