Miami adds much-needed RB talent/depth out of portal: Nebraska's Ajay Allen will suit up for Hurricanes this season
Nebraska transfer RB Ajay Allen entered the transfer portal the final day it was open, and now he’s closed his search process. Allen visited Miami over the weekend, loved what he saw and has announced he will be playing for the Hurricanes this coming season.
A former four-star recruit out of Monroe, La. in the Class of 2022 (he was a TCU commit at one point), he has four years of eligibility remaining. That’s because he suffered a season-ending collarbone injury after playing in the first four games last year. He made the most of those opportunities on the field, with 33 carries for 190 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and two TDs. The injury came in the Oklahoma game – he had run 11 times for 49 yards prior to that.
Allen carried three times for seven yards in the season opener against Northwestern before rushing for 58 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries against North Dakota. Allen had a 14-yard touchdown run for his first career score against the Fighting Hawks. Against Georgia Southern, Allen rushed eight times for a career-high 76 yards and one touchdown.
His Pro Football Focus grades?
In 73 reps he had an outstanding 78.1 percent grade overall with a 79.8 run grade, 58.5 grade as a pass catcher and 40.4 percent in pass blocking (a struggle area for any young back).
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Allen was mired down the Nebraska depth chart this spring but was expected to have a major role on the team this season, so his departure surprised many.
The bottom line?
At 5-11 and 185 pounds, Allen is an excellent receiving back who may not have high top end speed but runs with good pace and tempo and has great lower body power.
CaneSport’s take
Miami needed to add running back talent and depth and did so with the addition of Allen. He wasn’t full go off his injury this spring, but should be back to form this fall and will look to compete to start in a Miami RB room that includes returning starter Henry Parrish, Don Chaney and true freshmen Mark Fletcher and Christopher Johnson. Also on the roster is redshirt freshman TreVonte’ Citizen, but it isn’t expected he will be full go this fall off a serious knee injury last year.
