Norfolk State’s Devon Allen Ready to Capitalize on A Huge Season
After a breakout campaign in 2023 as a junior, Norfolk State’s Devon Allen is poised to continue his success. His season has already gotten off to a great start.
The defensive back, who was named second-team All-MEAC after last season, made the second-team All-MEAC preseason list this season as well. Allen had a career-high 10 passes broken up in 2023 for the Spartans.
“I’ve just been putting in the work,” Allen said of his breakout season. “I worked hard in the offseason to get better. It feels good to lead the MEAC, and I’m just capitalizing on the opportunities given to me.”
Those 10 passes broken up came in just seven games.
Despite his success last season, Allen doesn’t see MEAC quarterbacks shying away from throwing to his side this season, partly due to his zero interceptions, a stat he plans to change soon.
“I feel like they are still going to try me for sure,” he said. “I have to attack the ball, instead of swatting, I need to grab it and stay with it.”
Among the top defensive backs in the MEAC, like first-team All-MEAC selection Kenny Gallop from Howard and his Norfolk State teammate Terron Mallory, Allen sees himself as a player who can rise to the top.
“We motivate each other on the field,” Allen said of Mallory. “He motivates me to make big plays. We want to improve on last year, be more consistent, and shut down receivers.”
On August 25th, Norfolk State will open the season with what could be the biggest game in Spartans history: a primetime matchup on ABC with Florida A&M. It’s a big spotlight for Allen and a chance for him to prove a few things.
“It’s exciting to get back to football, and we are excited to play in week zero against a good opponent,” he said. “To me, it’s just a normal game. It’s big, but we have to go out there, do our assignments, and play as one. We have to compete like any other game.”
On the national stage, Allen sees an opportunity to showcase his talents in front of colleges that didn’t offer him. He says he wants to prove himself right rather than prove others wrong.
“It’s on my mind,” Allen said of proving his doubters wrong. “But it’s more about proving myself right, honestly.”
Allen follows in a long line of players from the Hampton area who have stayed home to play for Norfolk State, Hampton, Old Dominion, and William and Mary, something he takes pride in.
“It’s great to represent my hometown. All the guys I went to school with can come see me play, so it’s a good feeling,” he said.
One perk is his family being able to attend most of his games, although they won’t be in Atlanta on August 24th.
“I think they will be watching at home,” he said.
Since Allen was a freshman in 2021, he doesn’t have the extra year of eligibility from the NCAA due to COVID-19, so his senior year might be his last chance to prove to NFL, CFL, and UFL scouts that he belongs at the next level. If his production can increase from his breakout 2023 season, they may see all they need to take a chance on him.
One other option could be to grad transfer, but Allen isn’t thinking about that yet. He is focused on improving from 2023 and continuing his breakout success as Norfolk State aims to move to the upper echelon of the MEAC and compete for a conference title.
“My coaches and teammates always say they could see me playing for different teams,” he said. “But I’m just worried about the first game and doing what I have to do so the pros can see me.”