Kyle Allen Will Be the Biggest Surprise in the SEC This Season
The Texas A&M Aggies, led by quarterback Kenny Hill, started out 5-0 last season. As Hill struggled through the middle of the season, true freshman Kyle Allen was thrown into the fire at starting quarterback. Allen proved capable of being a starter in the SEC, and even more should be expected from him this season.
Allen was the top-rated quarterback in the country coming out of high school, and he got an early chance to show his potential in the second half of his freshman season.
After Hill was pulled near the end of the 59-0 massacre against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Allen started the rest of the season. Allen struggled in his first start against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, and the Aggies barely pulled out a 21-16 win.
After his first start, Allen became more comfortable in his starting position, and it showed over the final four games of the year. He led the Aggies to two wins down the stretch. The first was a 41-38 road win at No. 3 Auburn. The second was a 45-37 victory over West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl, in which Allen was named the MVP.
With Hill transferring to TCU, Allen should have the A&M starting job locked up for the 2015 season.
There's been speculation that 5-star recruit Kyler Murray will challenge him. But as Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote, "Don't fall into the trap of thinking it's going to be much of a battle, though."
Head coach Kevin Sumlin confirmed that notion in a Periscope interview with Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage (via Brandon Wheeland of the Dallas Morning News).
"Kyle Allen is the guy right now. I usually go two weeks before the first game before announcing the guy," Sumlin said. "You can’t end the season as the MVP of the bowl game and not start off No. 1."
Allen took command of the Texas A&M offense in 2014 and helped the Aggies salvage a season that seemed to be headed for disaster after the team lost three straight games by two touchdowns or more in Hill's final three starts.
He showcased maturity beyond his years by getting the team to rally around him as a freshman. In 2015, Allen deserves the chance to continue what he started last season, and he'll take full advantage of that opportunity.
As impressive as his maturity down the stretch was, Allen showcased equally impressive abilities on the field.
When given the opportunity, Allen showcased his impressive arm strength, pinpoint accuracy and an ultra-quick release. His ability to stay poised in the pocket and read SEC defenses was more than anyone could have expected from a true freshman.
At SEC media days, Aggies offensive lineman Germain Ifedi mentioned how remarkable of a job Allen did down the stretch, per Sallee:
In his final four starts, Allen threw for 952 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions, including a 294-yard, four-touchdown performance in the Liberty Bowl.
Despite his play last season, Allen hasn't gotten the same level of hype as other first-year starters in the SEC.
Auburn's Jeremy Johnson and Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs were both named to the preseason All-SEC team heading into their first full seasons as starters.
Allen hasn't racked up the same preseason accolades, but his supporting cast should set him up for a big 2015 season.
Texas A&M should have one of the top receiving corps in the country in 2015. The Aggies return two of their top three receivers from last season in Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil, who went for 842 and 583 receiving yards, respectively.
Ricky Seals-Jones returns after a solid freshman campaign, and the Aggies also landed 5-star receiver Christian Kirk as part of the 2015 recruiting class. Three of five starters on the offensive line will also be back for the upcoming season.
With his talent and the talent around him, Allen is headed for a stellar 2015 season in Sumlin's offense. An entire offseason of first-team reps should help him develop a stronger connection with the rest of the offense and improve on his freshman season.
He's not the same type of athlete or dual threat as Johnny Manziel was, but Texas A&M doesn't need him to be. He controls the pocket, makes precise throws and is capable of making a play with his feet when the situation calls for it.
Allen is a solid, accurate quarterback who is capable of leading his team through an SEC schedule. Any SEC team that overlooks him will regret it this fall.
Recruiting information via 247Sports.com
Statistics via CFBstats.com.
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