Kentucky Football: Looking back at the Wildcats career of Josh Allen

A standout linebacker for Kentucky Football, you will be hard to find a single-season in Wildcats program history better than that of Josh Allen in 2018. A collegiate career in Lexington that culminated in that memorable 2018 season, here is a look back at the Kentucky Football career of Allen.

Looking back at the Kentucky Football career of Josh Allen

A former two-star prospect, Allen originally came to Kentucky in the Wildcats 2015 class out of Montclair High School in New Jersey. The former two-star would go-on to make an impact for the Wildcats in 2015 as a freshman as well, primarily coming on special teams where Allen collected four total tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 0.5 sacks.

Allen would go-on to emerge as a primary starter for the Wildcats defense in 2016, translating to a massive breakout sophomore season. Collecting 62 total tackles and 8.5 TFL, Allen would also lead the Wildcats with seven sacks on the year, as well as forcing four fumbles, which led the SEC and ranked No. 10 nationally.

As a junior, Allen would post a similar stat line to his sophomore season, accounting for 66 tackles, 10.5 TFL, and seven sacks (No. 8 in SEC) in 2017 to earn All-SEC honors. Setting up what-was a memorable 2018 campaign, Allen would go-on to receive numerous preseason honors entering his senior year, one that is still one of the best the SEC has seen in recent memory on defense.

Looking at that 2018 season, Allen would lead the SEC with a total of 17 sacks (No. 2 nationally) and 21.5 TFL (No. 6 nationally), while also collecting 88 tackles and five forced fumbles (No. 2 in SEC and nationally). A consensus All-American, Allen would receive numerous honors at the conclusion of the 2018 season such as First Team All-SEC and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as winning multiple awards nationally that included the Nagurski, Bednarik, Lott, and Lambert awards.

Concluding his Kentucky Football career, Allen would collect a total of 220 tackles, 42 TFL, 31.5 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles during his four seasons in Lexington. Looking at those numbers as well, Allen’s 31.5 career sacks currently ranks as the third most in the SEC since 2005, while his 11 forced fumbles also ranks second most within the conference since 2005 as well.

Selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Allen has since appeared in a total of 40 games from 2019-21, collecting a combined 128 tackles, 25 TFL, and 20.5 sacks. A one-time Pro Bowler, Allen is entering his fourth season in Jacksonville in 2022.