KC Star article on Michael Allan

Direckshun · 05-15-2007, 11:28 PM

Sure, it might just be the "I've been drafted" glow, but it's not hard to see why Herm liked the guy.

Didn't see this posted. Neg rep me at will.

http://www.kansascity.com/160/story/109092.html

Big fish in small pond jumps into sea

Tight end Michael Allan, a star at Division III, is eager to show what he can do with the Chiefs in the NFL.

By JASON KING
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs tight end Michael Allan has a quick response for those wondering why he opted to play college ball at Division III Whitworth.

“You should’ve seen me in high school,” Allan chuckled. “It’s not like I had many options.”

Indeed, the 6-foot-6, 254-pound Allan may look imposing these days. But five years ago he marched across the graduation stage at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash., weighing just 190.

Upon arriving at Whitworth, Allan needed five full seconds to plod through the 40-yard dash. After a year he even considered quitting football and transferring to nearby Washington State.

“I was just an awkward 18-year-old,” Allan said. “It was a process, but I finally grew into my body.”

The Chiefs are glad he did.

Allan last month became the first Division III player drafted since 2003 when Kansas City selected him with the 231st overall pick. The honor came after a banner college career in which Allan snared 118 passes for 2,202 yards and a school-record 29 touchdowns.

He spent last weekend trying to prove to Chiefs coaches that their decision to draft him in the seventh round was a good one.

“I came out here and did my best,” Allan said at the conclusion of the team’s rookie minicamp. “We all had our ups and downs, and everybody came out a little rusty. But I really think I turned it on (near the end of camp). I hope I made an impression on them.”

Even if Allan did, he’ll still be hard-pressed to earn much playing time at tight end.

Tony Gonzalez is a future Hall of Famer, and backups Kris Wilson and Jason Dunn are veterans who have proved more than capable in the past.

“That’s something I thought about when they drafted me,” said Allan, the only Division III player invited to the NFL combine.

“But I’m just excited for the opportunity to be here and get on some special teams and learn from those guys. Maybe if any of them move on I’ll get a shot. The nice thing about the Chiefs organization is that they usually draft and develop, rather than draft and cut.”

If Allan did make the team he’d certainly be viewed as a success story back at Whitworth, where he’s the first player since 1972 to be drafted.

Allan said the largest home crowd he ever played in front of was 3,500. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards joked that Allan probably had to line the field before games.

Still, as small as the school may have been — about 2,200 students — Allan couldn’t speak more highly of his alma mater. He said he has no regrets about staying at Whitworth for five years.

“I had a lot of fun there,” he said. “I wish we had a little more press coverage or TV coverage — the fun parts of college football. But I had a blast playing there. I had some good friends and had a great time.”

Allan said he gained about 25 pounds during his first year at Whitworth and about 10 or 15 every season after that.

Allan began commanding the attention of NFL scouts after receiving first-team All-American honors as a junior in 2005. The next season he caught 53 passes for 1,100 yards, causing his stock to grow even more.

“The nice thing about Whitworth was that they spread me out,” said Allan, who said he runs about a 4.6 in the 40. “We did a lot of five-wide (receiver formations), and I was always on the field. I was one of the primary options in our offense.

“It also helped that we had a fantastic quarterback: Joel Clark. He was a fantastic athlete, and he knew how to find receivers. He could really move, which helped the tight end. He was a four-year starter, so he kind of came into his own at the same time I did.”

Allan is hoping that trend continues during the next few months and throughout training camp. As much as he’s playing for himself and a spot on the Chiefs’ roster, Allan also thinks he’s representing something much bigger.

“I feel like I’m representing all of Division III,” he said. “There are a lot of phenomenal athletes out there that didn’t get their shot at D-I, so now they’re down there trying to make it in D-III schools all around the nation. They shouldn’t be sold short.”

05-15-2007, 11:28 PM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2093447	KC Star article on Michael Allan Sure, it might just be the "I've been drafted" glow, but it's not hard to see why Herm liked the guy. Didn't see this posted. Neg rep me at will. http://www.kansascity.com/160/story/109092.html Big fish in small pond jumps into sea Tight end Michael Allan, a star at Division III, is eager to show what he can do with the Chiefs in the NFL. By JASON KING The Kansas City Star Chiefs tight end Michael Allan has a quick response for those wondering why he opted to play college ball at Division III Whitworth. “You should’ve seen me in high school,” Allan chuckled. “It’s not like I had many options.” Indeed, the 6-foot-6, 254-pound Allan may look imposing these days. But five years ago he marched across the graduation stage at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash., weighing just 190. Upon arriving at Whitworth, Allan needed five full seconds to plod through the 40-yard dash. After a year he even considered quitting football and transferring to nearby Washington State. “I was just an awkward 18-year-old,” Allan said. “It was a process, but I finally grew into my body.” The Chiefs are glad he did. Allan last month became the first Division III player drafted since 2003 when Kansas City selected him with the 231st overall pick. The honor came after a banner college career in which Allan snared 118 passes for 2,202 yards and a school-record 29 touchdowns. He spent last weekend trying to prove to Chiefs coaches that their decision to draft him in the seventh round was a good one. “I came out here and did my best,” Allan said at the conclusion of the team’s rookie minicamp. “We all had our ups and downs, and everybody came out a little rusty. But I really think I turned it on (near the end of camp). I hope I made an impression on them.” Even if Allan did, he’ll still be hard-pressed to earn much playing time at tight end. Tony Gonzalez is a future Hall of Famer, and backups Kris Wilson and Jason Dunn are veterans who have proved more than capable in the past. “That’s something I thought about when they drafted me,” said Allan, the only Division III player invited to the NFL combine. “But I’m just excited for the opportunity to be here and get on some special teams and learn from those guys. Maybe if any of them move on I’ll get a shot. The nice thing about the Chiefs organization is that they usually draft and develop, rather than draft and cut.” If Allan did make the team he’d certainly be viewed as a success story back at Whitworth, where he’s the first player since 1972 to be drafted. Allan said the largest home crowd he ever played in front of was 3,500. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards joked that Allan probably had to line the field before games. Still, as small as the school may have been — about 2,200 students — Allan couldn’t speak more highly of his alma mater. He said he has no regrets about staying at Whitworth for five years. “I had a lot of fun there,” he said. “I wish we had a little more press coverage or TV coverage — the fun parts of college football. But I had a blast playing there. I had some good friends and had a great time.” Allan said he gained about 25 pounds during his first year at Whitworth and about 10 or 15 every season after that. Allan began commanding the attention of NFL scouts after receiving first-team All-American honors as a junior in 2005. The next season he caught 53 passes for 1,100 yards, causing his stock to grow even more. “The nice thing about Whitworth was that they spread me out,” said Allan, who said he runs about a 4.6 in the 40. “We did a lot of five-wide (receiver formations), and I was always on the field. I was one of the primary options in our offense. “It also helped that we had a fantastic quarterback: Joel Clark. He was a fantastic athlete, and he knew how to find receivers. He could really move, which helped the tight end. He was a four-year starter, so he kind of came into his own at the same time I did.” Allan is hoping that trend continues during the next few months and throughout training camp. As much as he’s playing for himself and a spot on the Chiefs’ roster, Allan also thinks he’s representing something much bigger. “I feel like I’m representing all of Division III,” he said. “There are a lot of phenomenal athletes out there that didn’t get their shot at D-I, so now they’re down there trying to make it in D-III schools all around the nation. They shouldn’t be sold short.”
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