Nate Allen (safety)

Nathaniel "Nate" Ray Allen (born November 30, 1987) is an American football safety for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Florida.

Early years
Allen attended Cape Coral High School, where he played quarterback and threw for more than 5,000 career yards. He was a three-time all-area player and Class 5A honorable mention all-state as a junior and senior. Also an accomplished basketball player, he averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 steals in 2005–2006 and was named 2nd Team All-Area.

Considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Allen was not ranked among the nation's best football prospects. He drew little attention from colleges and selected South Florida over Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Michigan.

Allen had offers from Auburn, Clemson, and Florida for safety, but he went to USF because it was close to home and he was recruited as a quarterback, but then switched to safety.

College career
In his true freshman, Allen played in nine of USF's 13 games, missing four mid-year games due to a quadriceps injury. He was used as a situational backup in the secondary and also on special teams.

Becoming a full-time starter as sophomore, Allen had a breakout year, recording 84 tackles (fourth on the team), four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, 47 fumble return yards and one touchdown. He was named Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass in Bulls’ win at No. 17 Auburn.

A preseason Thorpe Award candidate in 2008, Allen finished the season fifth on the team with 53 tackles, while having two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception.

Pre-draft
Allen was considered one of the best safety prospects available for the 2010 NFL Draft.

Philadelphia Eagles
Allen was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (37th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft. After Marlin Jackson suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during organized team activities, Allen was named the starting free safety going into training camp, replacing the 2009 starter, Sean Jones. Allen was signed to a four-year contract on July 27, 2010.

Allen recorded his first NFL Interception against the Green Bay Packers in week 1 of the 2010 season and he recorded his second interception week 2 against the Detroit Lions. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for the month of September. He was placed on injured reserve on December 21 due to a torn patellar tendon.