Texas Tech University Athletics
Redemption: The Dakota Allen Story
September 15, 2018 | Football
Gameday Feature: Houston Game
LUBBOCK, Texas - Redemption. A commonly-used word but one that eloquently defines Dakota Allen and his story.
Allen is possibly the most unique story in college football this season, a story that is defined by redemption and his decision to take advantage of what really is a rare second chance in collegiate athletics.
"I definitely feel I am a story of redemption," Allen said. "I'm grateful more than anything for the opportunities I've had, but I want to be remembered for what I've done with those opportunities. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to finish what I started here at Texas Tech.
Allen's story of leaving the Texas Tech football program, enrolling at East Mississippi Community College – the home of the Netflix documentary series "Last Chance U" at the time – and then returning to Lubbock has been told countless times to this point.
For those that know Allen, he is a guy many begin to like from their first encounter. He has a contagious smile and a personality that draws others to him. It's no wonder his teammates voted him a captain just two months after his return to the football program in 2017.
For as talented as he is on the field, though, he is just as gifted in the classroom where he excelled as an engineering major early in his Tech career and now as a management major.
"It says a lot about Dakota that he's been named a team captain by his teammates each of the last two seasons," head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "Our players see his story and the example he sets each and every day and they gravitate toward him. He's definitely what you want in a team captain."
The dream of being named even a captain is not something Allen really thought would ever happen after his departure from Texas Tech following the 2015 AdvoCare Texas Bowl.
After leaving Lubbock, Allen returned to his hometown of Houston to start a mobile car care business with his brother until the coaches at East Mississippi called. Allen didn't know much about the university, yet alone the film crew that followed the football program's every move.
He just knew it was his best chance to play the sport he loves once again.
"I really didn't think I'd play football again," Allen said. "I had never heard of Scooba (Mississippi) before that, but it didn't really matter to me. I just wanted another chance."
Another opportunity is exactly what East Mississippi provided him as Allen ranked eighth in the NJCAA with a team-leading 117 tackles during the 2016 season. The Lions finished 11-1 overall, falling just short of appearing in the national title game.
Late in the season, the Tech staff reached out to Allen to gauge his interest in returning to Lubbock. At first glance, Allen really didn't think he would really get the opportunity.
"Too much baggage," he thought.
Kingsbury spoke with Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt and various other members of university leadership to develop a plan for Allen returning to Lubbock. Allen signed with Tech again that spring and waited until June to rejoin the team.
The response by his teammates, many of which were not with the program during Allen's initial run as a Red Raider? Nothing but smiles.
"That is something I'll always remember," Allen said of his first time back in the Football Training Facility. "No one treated me differently and it was like I never left. My teammates were unbelievable and I'll always be appreciative of them for that."
That comradery with his teammates will be something NFL scouts notice as Allen looks to take that next step following this season. He will likely be considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft with the website Pro Football Focus listing him as the top target prior to the season.
The NFL is definitely a goal for Allen, who recorded a team-high 102 tackles a year ago en route to earning All-Big 12 second team honors. He alongside teammates Justus Parker and Jah'Shawn Johnson were both recognized on the preseason All-Big 12 team this summer.
Allen enters today's game versus Houston with 10 tackles for a Tech defense that will be looking for a repeat performance against the Cougars. The Red Raiders forced five turnovers a year ago at Houston as part of a 27-24 victory.
"Dakota has all the talent in the world to be successful," defensive coordinator David Gibbs said. "He's a guy that will get the opportunity to play at the next level and succeed. He's a big part of our defense and we're glad he chose to come back and be a Red Raider."
Needless to say, Allen isn't worried about the past. What is done is done and he's grateful for what he's learned in the process. As he puts it, the future is the only thing he can control at this point.
That future continues against Houston and then revs up over the nine remaining Big 12 contests as the Red Raiders look to close Allen's career with another bowl trip.
Either way, Allen says he still to this day doesn't doubt his decision to return to Texas Tech. To him, the easy decision would have been to go somewhere else. That, though, just doesn't fit his style.
"I really can't put into words what this place means to me," Allen said. "I'm looking forward to the future but I'm excited about what we have going the rest of this season, too. I'm definitely blessed."
Allen is possibly the most unique story in college football this season, a story that is defined by redemption and his decision to take advantage of what really is a rare second chance in collegiate athletics.
"I definitely feel I am a story of redemption," Allen said. "I'm grateful more than anything for the opportunities I've had, but I want to be remembered for what I've done with those opportunities. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to finish what I started here at Texas Tech.
Allen's story of leaving the Texas Tech football program, enrolling at East Mississippi Community College – the home of the Netflix documentary series "Last Chance U" at the time – and then returning to Lubbock has been told countless times to this point.
For those that know Allen, he is a guy many begin to like from their first encounter. He has a contagious smile and a personality that draws others to him. It's no wonder his teammates voted him a captain just two months after his return to the football program in 2017.
For as talented as he is on the field, though, he is just as gifted in the classroom where he excelled as an engineering major early in his Tech career and now as a management major.
"It says a lot about Dakota that he's been named a team captain by his teammates each of the last two seasons," head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "Our players see his story and the example he sets each and every day and they gravitate toward him. He's definitely what you want in a team captain."
The dream of being named even a captain is not something Allen really thought would ever happen after his departure from Texas Tech following the 2015 AdvoCare Texas Bowl.
After leaving Lubbock, Allen returned to his hometown of Houston to start a mobile car care business with his brother until the coaches at East Mississippi called. Allen didn't know much about the university, yet alone the film crew that followed the football program's every move.
He just knew it was his best chance to play the sport he loves once again.
"I really didn't think I'd play football again," Allen said. "I had never heard of Scooba (Mississippi) before that, but it didn't really matter to me. I just wanted another chance."
Another opportunity is exactly what East Mississippi provided him as Allen ranked eighth in the NJCAA with a team-leading 117 tackles during the 2016 season. The Lions finished 11-1 overall, falling just short of appearing in the national title game.
Late in the season, the Tech staff reached out to Allen to gauge his interest in returning to Lubbock. At first glance, Allen really didn't think he would really get the opportunity.
"Too much baggage," he thought.
Kingsbury spoke with Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt and various other members of university leadership to develop a plan for Allen returning to Lubbock. Allen signed with Tech again that spring and waited until June to rejoin the team.
The response by his teammates, many of which were not with the program during Allen's initial run as a Red Raider? Nothing but smiles.
"That is something I'll always remember," Allen said of his first time back in the Football Training Facility. "No one treated me differently and it was like I never left. My teammates were unbelievable and I'll always be appreciative of them for that."
That comradery with his teammates will be something NFL scouts notice as Allen looks to take that next step following this season. He will likely be considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft with the website Pro Football Focus listing him as the top target prior to the season.
The NFL is definitely a goal for Allen, who recorded a team-high 102 tackles a year ago en route to earning All-Big 12 second team honors. He alongside teammates Justus Parker and Jah'Shawn Johnson were both recognized on the preseason All-Big 12 team this summer.
Allen enters today's game versus Houston with 10 tackles for a Tech defense that will be looking for a repeat performance against the Cougars. The Red Raiders forced five turnovers a year ago at Houston as part of a 27-24 victory.
"Dakota has all the talent in the world to be successful," defensive coordinator David Gibbs said. "He's a guy that will get the opportunity to play at the next level and succeed. He's a big part of our defense and we're glad he chose to come back and be a Red Raider."
Needless to say, Allen isn't worried about the past. What is done is done and he's grateful for what he's learned in the process. As he puts it, the future is the only thing he can control at this point.
That future continues against Houston and then revs up over the nine remaining Big 12 contests as the Red Raiders look to close Allen's career with another bowl trip.
Either way, Allen says he still to this day doesn't doubt his decision to return to Texas Tech. To him, the easy decision would have been to go somewhere else. That, though, just doesn't fit his style.
"I really can't put into words what this place means to me," Allen said. "I'm looking forward to the future but I'm excited about what we have going the rest of this season, too. I'm definitely blessed."
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