Josh Allen is the potential top-five pick in the 2019 NFL Draft getting the least attention heading into the first round Thursday.
The 2018 SEC Defensive Player of the Year led Kentucky to its first 10-win season since 1977. Allen, however, must prove himself all over again, like he did twice in high school and again with the Wildcats.
"I'm going to be proving people wrong until the day I die," Allen told Sporting News. "I believe it. This next step that's coming, I feel like a couple teams could pass on me not knowing what my abilities are. I feel like I'm going to be proving people wrong in the NFL again."
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Allen was speaking as part of the Hyundai "Rolling with the Rookies" campaign, which helps tells his story. Allen was placed in special education classes in grade school in Montclair, N.J., because of a stutter. He overcame that before moving to Alabama, where he developed into an all-state receiver.
Allen moved back to Montclair, however, and switched to defense.
"When they wanted me to move to defense it was like, 'What?'" Allen said. "It is what it is. I feel like I was athletic enough to switch positions and to be comfortable doing it. It was tough, but if I would have stuck with it I think I would have been a pretty good receiver."
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That move paid off, and Kentucky proved to be the perfect fit for Allen — especially in his senior season with linebackers coach Brad White, who was promoted to defensive coordinator this year. Allen's sack total increased from seven the previous two seasons to 17, and he added 21.5 tackles for loss.
The Wildcats finished 10-3, beat Florida for the first time since 1986 and beat Penn State 27-24 in the Citrus Bowl.
"We knew the status quo with Kentucky football, and we really tried to make a name for ourselves," Allen said. "We played for each other and played together."
ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper was most impressed with Allen in a 15-14 victory over Missouri on Oct. 25, 2018. Allen had 11 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles against an offense led by quarterback Drew Lock.
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"I think Josh Allen is worthy of a top-five pick," Kiper said. "I've said it all year. Oakland would be a great spot for him. The Jets would be a great spot at No. 3. The Giants at No. 6 would be a great spot for them, but I think he should go in that 3-4 spot."
ESPN Draft analyst Todd McShay said Allen answered questions about his technique last season, and he will be valuable for teams that use hybrid fronts.
"The production and statistics match up what you see on a tape," McShay said. "When you look at him, there's only reason to believe he's going to continue to develop."
The Jets and Raiders are popular destinations for Allen, who visited both teams along with the 49ers, Giants and Bills. The Jets have not had a player hit double-digit sacks since 2015.
The Raiders, meanwhile, are looking for an improved pass rush since trading Khalil Mack to Chicago last season. Mack came into the league with questions about whether he could match the college production at the next level. He is a player Allen wants to emulate.
"He plays with that chip and plays like nobody can beat him," Allen said. "I want that. I want people to fear me when I play. I know people in the NFL fear him and all the other top pass rushers. I want to emulate my game like that."
The NFL Draft experts carry a high opinion of Allen, but that has not stopped him from pushing himself with the same internal drive he started with at Montclair — where he proved everybody wrong the first time.
"If I can do it anybody can do it," Allen said. "Montclair has great athletes and great kids growing up that want to become great athletes that don't really get looked at. ... I'm going to try to make a name for myself so I can be one of the all-time greats."
Hyundai's "Rolling with the Rookies" campaign will highlight the stories of several rookies leading up to Thursday's NFL Draft. Allen's story can be seen here.
