Allen looking forward to return visit
The Knoxville area is one familiar to 2017 Sugar Hill, Ga., defensive end Michael Lanier.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound defensive lineman out of Lanier High School is originally from Knoxville and went to elementary and middle school in the Knox County.
But, when he returned last summer it wasn’t to visit family, it was to camp in front of Tennessee’s coaching staff and the Vols left a big impression on him, just like he left one on the coaches.
“I remember liking the locker rooms and the game field and the lounge area,” Allen said, remembering back to this past summer. “Those were some pretty cool features. I liked the coaches and how they worked us at the camp.”
Allen has started to develop bonds with several of Tennessee’s staff members including assistant coaches Robert Gillespie and Steve Stripling, as well as graduate assistant Nate Ollie. “
I know coach Gillespie, coach Ollie and coach Strip. Those are the three I talk to,” Allen said. “We know each other pretty well.”
Allen will make a return trip to Rocky Top on March 5 to see the Vols for junior day and hopes to see more of a student perception when he’s back in East Tennessee.
“I want to see a classroom. I want to see what kind of academic programs they have and what that looks like,” Allen offered.
Allen played with five-star defensive Derrick Brown last season and the two helped Lanier form one of the best defensive lines in all of Georgia.
“Sometimes they would try and double-team both of us,” Allen said laughing. “Our defense was pretty good last year. That opened a lot of plays for our linebackers.”
Even with a five-star prospect on the field, coaches took notice of what Allen could do.
“Most of the things they say is that they like my speed off the ball and my pass rush ability,” Allen explained.
Off the field, Allen hopes to be humble like Brown.
“The thing is with him, outside of football, if you just met Derrick, you would think he’s a cool guy,” Allen said. “He wouldn’t talk to you about the offers. He’s humble a dude.”