That sent his stock up even higher as several Division
I schools began to make offers to the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Allen.
Wanting to get the recruiting process out of the way, Zach Allen verbally committed to North Carolina State University late Wednesday evening.
The big senior is excited about going to Raleigh and suiting up next
season with head coach Tom O’Brien’s Wolfpack.
“It is a great city and I felt like I would fit right in when I got
there,” said Allen. “The offensive line coach (Don Horton) has a good
reputation for sending players to the NFL. The entire coaching staff is
also good.”
Keith Gosse, the offensive coordinator at Tift County, is happy for
Allen.
“It’s a real good situation. He’s worked hard and he deserved it,” said
Gosse, who also serves as the team’s offensive line coach. “He has
earned the opportunity and he is a great find for N.C. State.”
The Tift County coach continued, “Zach is fully qualified, so it shows
how hard he has worked in the classroom, as well.”
Miller Safrit, a recruiting analyst with Scout.com, said Allen impressed
N.C. State coaches early.
“Allen became very important to N.C. State after having a tremendous
camp (here) in the spring and received an offer over the summer,” Safrit
said. “With the commitment, Allen takes up a spot along the interior of
the offensive line where there are just one or two spots available for
the Wolfpack and it really shows just how much new head coach Tom O'Brien really likes Allen as a prospect.”
If he can step in early as a member of the Wolfpack, Allen is excited
about a chance to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
“The competition level is crazy,” aid Allen. “The ACC is one of the
biggest conferences in the nation and I am excited about getting my
chance to play at that level.”
With his Tift County team beginning the regular season a week from
tonight at Brooks County, Allen is also excited about getting the
recruiting process behind him.
“I am happy to get it out of the way,” said Allen. “I just want to worry
about football and my grades.”
Allen will become the second member of his family to play at the
Division I level. His older brother, Josh, is a senior this season at
Troy University.
Offensive Lineman Zach Allen (The Tifton Gazette)