Dominique Allen doesn’t mince words when describing his playing style.
“Pounding, hard-nosed, pad-level football,” said the 6-foot, 250-pounder from Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn., who committed to play football for Tennessee on Saturday.
That’s good news for UT, especially since the stocky Allen looks destined to play fullback, although tailback has at least been discussed. Either position is fine with Allen.
“No matter,” he said, “whatever they want me to play.”
Allen wasn’t planning on committing to UT when he made the trip to Saturday’s Orange and White Game.
With scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Mississippi State and Wake Forest in hand, Allen was prepared to wait out the other teams that were showing interest, such as UT, Miami and Ole Miss.
Then came the offer that felt right.
“I’m just a Tennessee boy,” Allen said. “It wasn’t about getting it (his recruitment) over with.
“I’ve been a Tennessee fan since I was a young ’un. I made the decision and I’m happy with the decision I made.”
Allen rushed for 1,600 yards and a whopping 32 touchdowns during his junior season. He knows other schools won’t stop calling just because he’s announced a commitment.
“They can say everything,” Allen said, repeating, “but I’m a Tennessee boy.”
Allen said he was impressed with UT’s offense during the Orange and White Game, and rightly so. The Vols’ first team seemed unstoppable for the better part of Saturday’s spring practice finale.
“I like the way they run the offense,” Allen said. “I think I can make the transition. It wouldn’t be too hard.”
Allen was recruited by tight ends coach Jason Michael.
Allen is the second commitment for the 2009 class.
Wide receiver Je’Ron Stokes from Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Pa., was the first player to commit to UT on April 6.
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Comments » 42
DadwasaVol writes:
OK, let's keep em coming.
bigorangesob writes:
Things are starting nicely
givehim6 writes:
I'll say'09's class will look better than 08's was, just hope we will get a few DL's.
WhitePineVol77 writes:
Hopefully, two nice recruits. Is it fbs yet?
utwick writes:
How 'bout some stats on the kid for us out-of-staters?
jimr07 writes:
mcbrim--too bad you cannot be arrested for stupidity
gohawks1 writes:
Looking good!
Ditto what givehim6 said - let's get some big fellas on defense now. Early playing time is a real possiblility for D-linemen.
budrhon writes:
Does anyone know where he rates in the state? Or on the News Sentinel list.
FWBVol writes:
mcfly, what do you call a kid arrested three times at Florida? A starter Urban refuses to kick off the team.
dburgVol writes:
If you check his stats, you have to remember that they aren't as good as they could be because he splits time with another D-1 prospect. He's a big, strong back that could be a Javorskie Lane type guy or a fullback. Great get for the new staff! Keep em coming. Go Vols!
alfrizzle097 writes:
Just good to see us getting started on a recruiting class that needs to be strong.
Two of the last three or four years have been subpar by Fulmer standards. That means that the other classes are going to have an even bigger impact than normal.
I agree with the comments about the line. Watching a team with a great defensive line is always fun. How I miss watching Haynesworth and Henderson side-by-side.
thesavageorange writes:
Those who haven't seen them yet ,here are the game stats.
http://utsports.com/uploadedFiles/Spo...
The allen kid does have a teammate that is also interested in the vols, athlete Marsalis Teague.
Right by Allen's side in the newly bricked tunnel was Tennessee's other commitment, Je'Ron Stokes. Allen and Stokes had already exchanged numbers and were working out a strategy to start recruiting other top players to Knoxville.
dburgVol writes:
HOLY phooey!! knoxsingle that's HILARIOUS!!!!!!
mcbrim has to keep his mouth shut now.
vols1314 writes:
Im from henry county, i go to every game. We run the spread here with him and he does mighty fine. He is a big boy with thighs you've never seen before. He never got ran over here. Players were intimitated when they saw him coming to run them over. Dominique is powerful. If he can add some speed he will be awesome. Thesavageorange youre right marsalis is awesome too. Him and Dominique have two plays: one marsalis fakes to dominique and takes off with the ball. The other one he gives to Dominque and Dominque runs the ball. The other team doesn't know who has it until one of them is in the endzone. I can't wait till Henry County starts football. We've made to the fourth round the last two years with them together. Henry County has a good chance of going all the way this year. GO PATRIOTS!
vols1314 writes:
Mcbrim: Dominique or Marsalis hasn't been arrested yet. So keep your'e dang mouth shut.
utwick writes:
Is it just me or did this kid grow 1" in height and 15 lbs. in weight from the original announcement (5'11" and 235 lbs)? I'm going to keep checking this posting. This guy might be a defensive tackle by bedtime tonight.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
William Howard, reborn.
jimr07 writes:
mcstupid er mcbrim--does the name Bret Favre ring a bell. not one major offer and southern miss decided they did have one left over to offer him. just because no one, whoever no one is,has not heard of him does not mean he is not a player. again, your stupidity is showing again.
hmhawk writes:
Utwick,Scout.com has him listed at 6'0/250lbs.
orange4ever writes:
If all the hype about the 4* and 5* recruits were really accurate USC, Texas,Florida would always be in the N.C. game.Give me a kid with heart anyday,against some pampered baby, thats who we want.
FatherVol writes:
Mickie Brim: Why don't you just slither back into the Everglades and get lost in the sawgrass. It's where most of Florida's lowlife, belly-crawling critters live so you'll be more welcome there.
FatherVol writes:
I was pastor of Holy Cross in Paris, TN, for five years (87-92) and went to every HC home game while there. I still follow them and am glad to see a good strong recruit coming from HCHS to the Vols. Go Patriots!
beachvol1 writes:
I want you to know this young man is the real deal...I officiate high school football in this area and he is as tough as they come and stronger than your average back...will flat run over or around you...reminds me of Mose Phillips from years past...think everyone is going to be pleased with this choice....maybe this will set the ground work to get his teammate Teague to come aboard...
jimr07 writes:
McBrim--you posts just confirms your stupidity. the only reason you come on here is get attention. no one in your life pays any attention to what you say or do. so, you come on here knowing that you will ruffle feathers showing your immaturity and people will actually respond to your blathering. You obviously did not even understand my comment about Bret Favre. But, that does go to show that your i.q. is in the single digits. I really feel sorry for people like you. I bet both of your friends cringe when they see you coming. Father vol nice post about this idiot. I apologize to all idiots.
dburgVol writes:
FatherVol, you must know James Counce.
PaulTheVol writes:
Dallas Lee committed to Georgia on Saturday. It hurts because he is a top tier offensive lineman and Fulmer wanted him badly. It's really hard to get the top southern recruits out of their home state these days because most all of the in-state SEC schools now have excellent recruiters and lock up their top players. If only Tennessee high school football was on a par with other southern states we wouldn't have to go all over the country to try and find decent players.
miamiVOL writes:
PaulTheVol i agree in general but the state of GA is known for letting alot of talent not get to UGA, i mean, Calvin Johnson the most prized WR recruit and #2 nfl draft pick chose GaTech over UGA and then Eric Berry !!!
thesavageorange writes:
Scout gives players a 1* when they aren't rated a top 250 player.Rivals give them a NR.Henry county isn't the most populated county in Tennessee, so now that folks know who he is,they will pay attention.Right now most of the so-called experts would give him 3*'s.
It adds another deminsion when you have a fullback who can run.Anyone remember the name Shawn Bryson?
abnermc writes:
Mcbrim , Missed you in Atlanta last December. Wonder why?
ThurmondEppy writes:
McBrim's real name is Mike McBride. Maybe he won't act so silly with his real name out there.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
mcbrim, sometimes you are a dumba##, but the quip about 'only arrested 3 times' was funny as hell.
as for the other stuff, rivals rarings and what-not...I've stated this about 2 billion times: you want to lose games, let recruiting services dictate your player selections. It's actually a paraphrase of an old Tommy Tuberville interview. he sadi, in essence "We wondered why we were losing games we should win. We figured out WE weren't picking players, the recruiting services where'.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Way to go, Dominique Allen! I like the way this "Tennessee Boy" sounds.
tim.tnfan#210173 writes:
For those of you concerned with Allen's size.... my son is a classmate and also starting tackle for the Patriots. According to him, at spring physicals last week, Dominique weighed in at 272. (He hasn't been 235 since the 8th grade!) He has always been heavy but most is muscle. He also leads the team in bench pressing (in the mid-300's). He is DEFINITELY a bull-dozer....many times carrying 4 or 5 (or more) defenders with him for extra yards. And he definitely splits time w/QB Marselis Teague (being recruited by Vandy, Miami, et al.) as they indeed run a very deceptive option offense. Combined they had well over 3000 yards last season and scored in record total points and TDs. And, yes, he's pretty good on the DL, too......
volboy81#211803 writes:
Welcome aboard Dominique!
Love to get those Tennessee boys!
GO VOLS!
Basketball_Jones writes:
I'm moving to Philly in about 3 months, I'll go see this kid from Pa play. We need the receiver from Memphis to sign, lets not lose another Patrick Turner
dburgVol writes:
Why don't they have an article about the newest recruit, Damien Thigpen? Dude runs a 4.34 40, committed to the Vols and there is no article! Wow, this looks to be a great class. Keep em coming.
volinSmyrna writes:
dburgVol, I agree. We are already halfway to our 4* total from this last class. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going. If we can land the Memphis WR and some quality DL depth we will have a great class in my opinion. Add a quality QB and you are looking at a great class.
dburgVol writes:
Marlon Brown would be nice. I just hope he doesnt go the Patrick Turner route and choose sun and sand over Tennessee tradition. It will be interesting to see what happens with Damien Thigpen's 4.3 speed.
KennesawVol writes:
This is great, but Fulmer and staff need to get the best the state of TN has to offer this year. He's been losing out on top TN recruits the last few years.
txsvol#372416 writes:
FWIW, Allen was listed as a DE at scout.com. Don't think of Javorskie Lane, guys, think of Jerome 'the Bus' Bettis, Earl Campbell, etc. Go Vols! SAVol
vols1314 writes:
Im from henry county, Dominique barely plays defense. He is a back.
volunteers4life writes:
We have to do better next year, I cannot believe Mississippi State and South Carolina out recruited us this year, coaching changes or not!!
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