The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Oregon wide receiver Devon Allen, who put aside his football aspirations to become a two-time Olympic hurdler.
Allen was not played football since tallying four receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown in three games with the Ducks in 2016. The three-time national champion instead finished fifth in the 110-meter hurdles in the 2016 Olympics and fourth in the same event during the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Roster Move: Eagles have signed WR Devon Allen.
@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ySwDCq5WHP
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 8, 2022
.@DevonAllen13’s closing speed >#FlyEaglesFly
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 8, 2022
Per the Eagles’ web site, Allen ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at Oregon’s Pro Day last Friday. The 27-year-old told reporters that he wanted to pursue an NFL opportunity before it was too late.
“It’s now or never because I don’t want to get too old,” Allen said. “I don’t want to turn 30, 31, and then try and get into the NFL. I know the skill gap is still there from college to the NFL, but I think when I did play college and when I did play at a pretty good level, I would consider myself talented enough to play in the NFL.”
Allen clearly offers speed in spades, so the Eagles are giving him a chance after six years away from the game. The 6-foot-0, 187-pound Olympian will have to prove he can effectively run routes and handle everything else to break camp with a roster spot.
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