2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: John Allen, OL, Southeastern Louisiana University

• Name: John Allen
• Position: G/C
• College: Southeastern Louisiana University 
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 313
• Twitter: @john50allen
• Instagram: @j.allen.55

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft?

I think what makes me a top prospect in the draft is my ability to think the game and be an extension of the coach on the field which is very valuable to any offensive line. Along with that I just think my natural instinct and competitiveness sets me apart from others.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I first found an interest in the game at the age of 5 or six at my first little league practice.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

A NFL team needs to know that I’m willing to do any and everything that is asked of me for the betterment of the team. Along with that, I bring an extreme level of toughness and competitiveness that any team would love to have.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

Project Impact MS

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Control what you can control

Who was your childhood hero?

My parents are my heroes, watching them every day growing up and how they worked to provide for me and the household is inspirational. The sacrifices they made for me to be playing this game is one that I will always appreciate, they are my motivation to keep working and striving to make the most out of the opportunity that I have been given.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

It’s hard to name one we have a lot of good players that have been very impactful to our team’s success over the years guys like Eli Sawyer, Jalen Bell, Donte Daniels, Herman Christophe, and Breannan Lanclos have been here, and been great players for the team

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

I hate people that just like to complain to just to complain

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

The hardest thing for me was being a junior college walk-on being redshirted my first year paying for school working harder than everybody feeling like there wasn’t 10 OL better than me on that team having to sit out and watch that season was tuff. I contemplated quitting many times, the only thing that stopped me was calling home and hearing my family tell me how proud they were of me for not just playing ball but being in school. Just the thought of disappointing them was enough to keep me going and I’m glad I did. I had a nice college career so far and plan on keeping it going this fall, and I’m going to finish college with a master’s degree.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Southeastern Louisiana University and Hammond, America is a special place. It has a winning culture and a strong community that supports the school and all athletic programs, especially football

What is your favorite snack food? 

Chips I could eat a bag every day for the rest of my life

What is the best part of football? 

The contact and physicality. I love lining trying to physically dominate another person

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

I’m a smart, physical, and disciplined football player that gives you my all in every play

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

Elgton Jenkins is versatile can play all three inside positions, and is well-rounded in pass and run

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

If I could have dinner I’m with three people dead or alive it would be Lebron James, President Barack Obama, and Dr. Sebi. I chose these dudes because I would just like to sit and pick their brains and ask them different questions I have often asked not having no way to answer them. The topics would be very diverse ranging from sports, politics, medical, history, and more.