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Bryant Allen hoping to star in football and basketball for Minnesota Gophers
U recruit: 'I like being challenged'
By Marcus R. Fuller
Bryant Allen wants you to look at his unimposing 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame.
You might not think he's a NCAA Division I college football player, let alone capable of making an impact as a two-sport athlete in football and basketball.
But proving people wrong is what drove Allen to become one of the most prolific high school athletes in the nation last year. Now, he's ready to do it as a University of Minnesota freshman.
"You have to be mentally ready," said Allen, who will join his football and basketball teammates in summer school this week. "I just have heart. That's all, basically. If you love the sport you're playing, then you're going to go out and play it, regardless of how big this guy is or how fast that guy is. It's all about heart."
It also was obvious from Allen's plethora of accomplishments at Richmond Heights High School in Maplewood, Mo., that a strong will wasn't the only thing he had going for him. What he lacked in size, he made up for with skill, speed, quickness, intelligence and leadership.
Allen led the Richmond Heights basketball team to two state titles and finished his high school career with 2,632 points, fourth in St. Louis-area history. He led the football team to the state semifinals twice and scored 62 touchdowns. He also broke the state record for 300-meter hurdles after taking a couple of years off from track.
"If you set your goals and strive for it, as long as keep your eyes on the prize, everything is going to be good," Allen said. "There are a lot of people saying now, 'How are you going to do both sports at the next level?' So what. I'm going to do it. I've been doing it all my life. People say it's going to be tough, but I like being challenged."
Surprisingly, Allen hasn't chosen to play three sports for the Gophers with as much confidence as he exudes, but excelling in two will be demanding enough.
Gophers football coach Tim Brewster had prior experience with a successful two-sport college athlete. As a North Carolina assistant, he coached Julius Peppers, now an NFL all-pro defensive end with the Carolina Panthers. Peppers was a forward for two years on the Tar Heels' basketball team.
"We weren't very good in football in the beginning, so Julius was able to join the basketball team in December," said Brewster, who hopes Allen joins the Gophers basketball team as a walk-on after a bowl game this season. "(Allen) is a heck of an athlete. He's going to be an impact player for us wherever we put him. And I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't one of the best guards for Tubby (Smith) when our season is over."
Allen's high school basketball coach also is convinced his star point guard could fit into Smith's system quicker than most.
"Seeing what coach Smith does with his players, I know that Bryant's toughness and the intensity he brings to the court definitely will give him a chance to be a game changer," coach Corey Frazier said. "He's very knowledgeable. He knows how to get players in
position to score. He's a point guard first, and then the thing that's intriguing about him is that he can take over a basketball game with his scoring."
Brewster has talked about using Allen's explosive playmaking on special teams as a kick- and punt-return specialist this season, Richmond Heights football coach David Harris said.
"He's just elusive," Harris said. "I see him making contributions there immediately, but because of his dynamic play ability, incredible hands and focus, I imagine he's going to fight for a spot at a receiver position as well. He's not the biggest kid in the world, but he could also play on the defensive side as well, if that's Brewster and his staff's choice."
Allen, who said he would spend the summer working out for football, can't wait to return a punt in his first college game.
"Coming in as a freshman, they're not going to know too much about me, and they will kick me the ball," he said. "I'm just going to make plays like I did in high school. I want to compete for playing time because that's what I've been doing my whole life. I don't want anything to come easy."
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12590379
Go Gophers!!
U recruit: 'I like being challenged'
By Marcus R. Fuller
Bryant Allen wants you to look at his unimposing 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame.
You might not think he's a NCAA Division I college football player, let alone capable of making an impact as a two-sport athlete in football and basketball.
But proving people wrong is what drove Allen to become one of the most prolific high school athletes in the nation last year. Now, he's ready to do it as a University of Minnesota freshman.
"You have to be mentally ready," said Allen, who will join his football and basketball teammates in summer school this week. "I just have heart. That's all, basically. If you love the sport you're playing, then you're going to go out and play it, regardless of how big this guy is or how fast that guy is. It's all about heart."
It also was obvious from Allen's plethora of accomplishments at Richmond Heights High School in Maplewood, Mo., that a strong will wasn't the only thing he had going for him. What he lacked in size, he made up for with skill, speed, quickness, intelligence and leadership.
Allen led the Richmond Heights basketball team to two state titles and finished his high school career with 2,632 points, fourth in St. Louis-area history. He led the football team to the state semifinals twice and scored 62 touchdowns. He also broke the state record for 300-meter hurdles after taking a couple of years off from track.
"If you set your goals and strive for it, as long as keep your eyes on the prize, everything is going to be good," Allen said. "There are a lot of people saying now, 'How are you going to do both sports at the next level?' So what. I'm going to do it. I've been doing it all my life. People say it's going to be tough, but I like being challenged."
Surprisingly, Allen hasn't chosen to play three sports for the Gophers with as much confidence as he exudes, but excelling in two will be demanding enough.
Gophers football coach Tim Brewster had prior experience with a successful two-sport college athlete. As a North Carolina assistant, he coached Julius Peppers, now an NFL all-pro defensive end with the Carolina Panthers. Peppers was a forward for two years on the Tar Heels' basketball team.
"We weren't very good in football in the beginning, so Julius was able to join the basketball team in December," said Brewster, who hopes Allen joins the Gophers basketball team as a walk-on after a bowl game this season. "(Allen) is a heck of an athlete. He's going to be an impact player for us wherever we put him. And I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't one of the best guards for Tubby (Smith) when our season is over."
Allen's high school basketball coach also is convinced his star point guard could fit into Smith's system quicker than most.
"Seeing what coach Smith does with his players, I know that Bryant's toughness and the intensity he brings to the court definitely will give him a chance to be a game changer," coach Corey Frazier said. "He's very knowledgeable. He knows how to get players in
position to score. He's a point guard first, and then the thing that's intriguing about him is that he can take over a basketball game with his scoring."
Brewster has talked about using Allen's explosive playmaking on special teams as a kick- and punt-return specialist this season, Richmond Heights football coach David Harris said.
"He's just elusive," Harris said. "I see him making contributions there immediately, but because of his dynamic play ability, incredible hands and focus, I imagine he's going to fight for a spot at a receiver position as well. He's not the biggest kid in the world, but he could also play on the defensive side as well, if that's Brewster and his staff's choice."
Allen, who said he would spend the summer working out for football, can't wait to return a punt in his first college game.
"Coming in as a freshman, they're not going to know too much about me, and they will kick me the ball," he said. "I'm just going to make plays like I did in high school. I want to compete for playing time because that's what I've been doing my whole life. I don't want anything to come easy."
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12590379
Go Gophers!!
