Russell Allen
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Career Summary
Russell Allen was a San Diego State linebacker who played 78 NFL games for Jacksonville from 2009 through 2013.
Allen was a four-year letterwinner at San Diego State before signing with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He developed into a regular starter for the Jaguars, playing all 16 games in each of his first four seasons.
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Early Life
Allen grew up in Oceanside, California, and attended Vista High School.
Allen came to San Diego State from Vista High School in North County San Diego. He helped Vista reach consecutive Division I championship games during his high-school career.
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High School
At Vista High School, Allen was San Diego County's defensive player of the year after recording 118 tackles, four sacks and four fumble recoveries as a senior.
Allen earned San Diego County defensive player of the year recognition from the San Diego Union-Tribune, North County Times and CIF. His senior season at Vista included 118 tackles, four sacks and four fumble recoveries.
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College Career
Allen totaled 364 tackles in 43 starts at San Diego State, ranking third in program history in tackles and first in assisted tackles.
Allen started 43 games and played in every San Diego State game during his final four seasons. He finished first in Aztec history with 161 assisted tackles, second with 214 solo tackles and third with 364 total tackles; he led the team in tackles in both 2007 and 2008.
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Path to the NFL
Jacksonville signed Allen as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Allen joined Jacksonville as an undrafted rookie after the 2009 draft. The Jaguars' September roster update identified him as one of three undrafted free agents on the active roster.
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NFL Career
Allen played 78 NFL games with 44 starts for Jacksonville, recording 331 combined tackles, two sacks, one interception and eight passes defended.
Allen played 16 games in each of his first four Jacksonville seasons and started all 16 in 2012. NFL statistics list 78 career games, 44 starts, 331 combined tackles, two sacks, one interception, eight passes defended and two forced fumbles.
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Career Accomplishments
Allen was twice an honorable-mention All-Mountain West selection and earned freshman All-America honorable mention recognition.
Allen received honorable-mention All-Mountain West recognition twice and earned freshman All-America honorable mention from The Sporting News. In 2007, he set a then-36-year-old San Diego State record with 22 tackles against Utah.
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Playing Style
Allen was a high-volume, fast linebacker who built his game around tackling and special-teams contributions.
Allen led the Mountain West in tackles per game in 2007 with 10.6 and was praised by San Diego State coaches for playing fast. As a Jaguars rookie, he ranked third on the team with 14 special-teams tackles while adding 58 defensive tackles.
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Legacy
Allen remains one of San Diego State's most productive tacklers and turned an undrafted opportunity into five seasons with Jacksonville.
Allen's 364 tackles remain among San Diego State's leading career totals. Jacksonville re-signed him in 2012, a development the club described as the continuation of a career that began with an undrafted player making an immediate impact.
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22264, 00-0026605, 1986-05-05, Russell Allen, Russell, Allen
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