Interview: 4-Star 2022 Florida SS/OLB Alfonzo Allen Jr. is Nearing 40-Offer Milestone
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The first two years of Alfonzo Allen Jr.’s high school career on Florida’s gridirons have been a blur of heavy activity. Coming up as a freshman he popped 96 ball carriers with 16 tackles for a loss, forcing two fumbles with four passes broken up. Moving from Everglades to McArthur High School, Allen was a dominating force in the Mustangs’ scheme as a safety/outside linebacker ending 90 plays with five sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, 15 passes broken up, five forced fumbles, a blocked punt, and four picks earning five-star recruiting status. Despite the lengthy stat sheet, and a scholarship offer total hovering around a mind-blowing 40, somehow the 6-1, 198-pound, Class of 2022 standout has been downgraded to a four-star. Regardless of recruiting stars, Allen is still one of the best in the nation and has two more years to prove it suiting up with Hallandale High School.
In another visit to the RNG Lab, Allen catches us up on his offseason workouts and his new position at Hallandale.
*Click link for Jan. 17, 2020, RNG interview with Alfonzo Allen
Interview
Alfonzo, the 2020 schedule is lining up to be a big one with you seeing your roles expand on defense. From a technical standpoint, what have you been working on as an outside linebacker/safety?
“Getting bigger, faster, knowing my position, working on playbook, watching film on all the new quarterbacks I will be facing this season.”
What have you been doing to improve your speed, agility, and overall conditioning?
“We do a lot of speed work, run with parachutes, broad jumps, and 40 stuff; we are doing a lot to help our speed.”
How have you been adding strength and power to your skillset this spring and summer?
“Eating right, that is first, and I have been spending three hours in the gym; I am in the gym a lot.”
This was just kind of touched on, going deeper. From our previous talks, I know you love watching film and learning more about the game. What have you been doing to add to your football IQ over the last few months?
“I’ve been watching film on our opponents, schools that I know we have to beat for a playoff push.”
With Hallandale, what position will you be playing?
“This season I am playing the Boss position. We are running a 3-2-6.”
Are you excited about that new role?
“Yes.”
Your recruiting has been amazingly successful, but has skyrocketed over the last four months or so going north of 30 offers. Given all the attention, how do you keep everything balanced and handle the recruiting process on a daily basis?
“I’ve am not paying a lot of attention to it; I am just letting hit happen. Right now, I am just focusing on getting better.”
What is the actual offer total now?
“I believe it is 38 or 40.”
Allen’s Reported Offers: Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Tulane, Utah, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia
Are there any schools showing interest, or have they all offered?
“Kansas State, TCU, and USC are showing interest.”
From January until they shut the campuses down in March, did you get to visit any programs?
“Yes, I went to Florida State.”
How did that visit go?
“It went well. I talked to their head coach and defensive coordinator and saw their facilities. We were there for only one day.”
Coming up, are there any planned visits you may take?
“I am planning on taking visits to all the schools that offered me. I am giving everyone a fair shot with my recruiting.”
When does Hallandale start team practices?
“July 6th.”
What will it been like for you getting back on the field doing something you love with your brothers?
“It will be fun, like it used to be. I am ready to play.”
Alfonzo, great catching up with you today. Thanks for your time and good luck with your workouts this summer preparing for the 2020 season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Allen family; Alfonzo Allen at FSU (March 2020)