Playing well in college, attending all-star events like the Shrine Game, running at the NFL Combine, team meetings with NFL teams. It’s all part of the process that hopefully leads to the NFL.
While at the Shrine Game this year scouting the next crop of NFL talent, I got a chance to talk with a former Shrine Game standout and current Pittsburgh Steeler in cornerback Cortez Allen.
Allen attending the Shrine Game to watch and support fellow high school and Citadel teammate and graduate wide receiver Kevin Hardy.
“I just told him to not focus on everyone around you. Just do you what you have to do. Just like at [Citadel]. Just do your job, stay disciplined and focused.”
Allen said this was the same advice former Citadel grad Andre Roberts (who now plays for the Cardinals) gave him when he was in the exact same position just a year ago. If Hardy does get drafted, considered more of a 7th rounder-undrafted free agent based on his season this year and his performance in the all-star practices, he would be the 3rd straight Citadel graduate drafted, remarkable for a military-style college.
“Not a lot of schools offered me a spot out of college. Some like Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, and Cincinnati looked at me for a little while, but when I went to Citadel, I knew it was the type of place that I wanted to be at.
They taught me the discipline, how to think and prepare mentally. It really changed how I view everything in my life.”
Being a 4th round draft selection was happiness enough for Allen, but being taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers? That was the most exciting part.
“They’re known for their defense. You walk in the stadium and you see the six championships, you see the guys working out, trying to get better. It can be a little intimidating, but once I got in there, it all felt right.”
Coming into a Steelers organization that is known for their defensive playmakers and cohesiveness, something Allen quickly added, leadership is a key role in maintaining success.
“Well James [Farrior] is the defensive captain and one of our most vocal leaders. But Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark also are pretty vocal as well. Troy [Polomalu] is a quiet guy, which was surprising to me. But it’s the fact that everyone is on the same page, all train together in the off-season that really keeps this team together.”
With the receiver position loaded on the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s tough to consistently say who is the best receiver. Mike Wallace was the big name to watch this year as a long, deep speed guy. Hines Ward has been Mr. Reliable this season. Emanuel Sanders has come on strong as a deep weapon. But for Allen, based on everything he sees in practice and off-the-field, the answer for the best receiver is easy.
“[Antonio Brown] is the hardest working guy I’ve ever met. He works on every aspect of his game so much. He’s the most conditioned guy on the team.
[Hines] Ward is a little tricky. He feels he needs to keep corners on their toes because he’s not the fastest guy like Mike Wallace. But he can still beat defensive backs”.Allen finished his rookie year as second on the depth chart behind Ike Taylor, and got a chance to play a bit at times this year. But a dislocated shoulder in mid-January ended his season, and the Steelers lost in the playoffs to Tim Tebow in that game. The surgery went well, just needed to stabilize it, and in 4-6 weeks, he should be onto a quick rehab process and ready to be in full-force by early to mid March.
“After the loss to the Broncos, coach Lebeau said ‘Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you'”.
It wasn’t an easy way to end the season, but thanks to the long journey of discipline, readiness, and understanding what it takes to win in the NFL, Allen is ready to take the next step.
“I always prepare to be the starter, each week. That’s just how I am….I think I have a great shot to start next season, but we’ll see.”
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