Kentucky’s Josh Allen: ‘I believe every team believes I can play both 3-4 and 4-3’

INDIANAPOLIS — Talent and production are two major boxes that Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen checks in the eyes of NFL talent-evaluators.

Allen also believes there’s another big one that should enhance his stock for next month’s NFL draft: versatility.

‘I feel like I’m versatile enough to know what I do and I’m just ready to work’

“I believe every team believes I can play both 3-4 and 4-3, and I believe I can play both 3-4 and 4-3,” Allen told Zig Fracassi and Mike Tannenbaum during SiriusXM NFL Radio’s coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine. “In a lot of for 3-4 defenses, they want me to play the Sam ‘backer, which is off the ball, but I could play anything, I believe. I feel like I’m versatile enough to know what I do and I’m just I’m just ready to work, to be honest with you.”

“I just wanted to be great for him so he could have the life I didn’t have growing up.”

After back-to-back seven-sack seasons in 2016 and 2017, Allen had a breakout year as a senior in 2018 with 17 sacks and five forced fumbles. He also had a career-high 88 tackles, including 21.5 for loss, and seven quarterback hurries.

‘The birth of my son was like just the biggest motivation I’ve ever had in my life’

“I just tried to get better each year and this year, actually, going to my senior year I just had a bigger purpose now,” Allen said. “The birth of my son (Wesley) was like just the biggest motivation I’ve ever had in my life. I just wanted to be great for him so he could have the life I didn’t have growing up.”

He firmly believes he’s ready to make the transition to the NFL.

‘I’m just looking forward to the challenge’

“It’s going to be a different pace,” Allen said. “Going from high school to the college, it was a different pace so going from college to the NFL is going be an even bigger pace. I’m just looking forward to the challenge and I’m ready to get back to work.”