Chance Allen is smooth and smart, a confident athlete who led his high school basketball team in scoring for two years at Fort Bend Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas.
He was a friend and crosstown rival of fellow Duck Bralon Addison, and after the experience of competing in one of high school football’s biggest stages in the Houston area, Allen is superbly prepared for the rigors of big-time football at the college level.
Big-time player, big-time plays: At Elkins, Allen made all-district as a senior, catching 126 passes in three years on the varsity, for 1920 yards and 22 tds. (yourhoustonnews.com photo)
In his freshman year at Oregon he redshirted, but did so with effort and aggressiveness. Teammates mentioned his name often in the post-practice interviews, a guy who stood out with his fearlessness and ability, a physical receiver who can go up for the ball and make catches in traffic at 6-2, 195.
In March, new offensive coordinator Scott Frost told A.J. Jacobson of Duck Sports Authority,
Chance did a great job with his redshirt year. A lot of times when kids come in and they’re not playing they tend to put it on cruise control. Chance worked really hard to get better during his redshirt season which sets him up really well for playing time this year.
Not a burner like B.J. Kelley or true freshman Devon Allen (no relation, the younger Allen is from Arizona) Chance excels with crisp route-running, great body control and work habits. He caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jake Rodgriguez in the Spring Game, a nifty double move, a Z-out route to the right corner of the end zone with a clutch diving catch for the score. Teammates mobbed him after the play, an indication of the popularity and respect he’s earned after a full year on the Oregon roster.
Kids know when another kid is legit, and it’s evident in Allen’s case that “Duda McLovin” is working his way up the depth chart with consistency and determination.
A look back at his high school highlight video reveals a talented player with terrific discipline. He’s well-coached and plays with intelligence, good hands, focus, concentration and leaping ability.
Allen could develop into a dependable receiver who is extremely tough in traffic. He has the frame, ability and work habits to be very, very good. The challenge for him is to stay confident as he fights his way up a crowded Oregon depth chart.
Receivers coach Matt Lubick has had a lot of success developing players at his previous stops and young #20 on the Oregon roster has many of the qualities coaches look for in a reliable possession receiver with a knack for big plays.
Scouting notes:
Very good drive off the line. Tenacious blocker. Well tutored in his use of pressure step. Crisp routes into open areas of zone coverage, settles into seams. Takes the ball in traffic with great concentration.
Rangy and athletic, uses his body very well and can go up high for the football. Good body control and timing, can go up and high point the ball on the fade, shielding the defender from the ball like a basketball player (star guard in high school) going up for a rebound.
A physical receiver with great presence on the field, Reminds me of Keyshawn Johnson or Michael Irvin. Gets a good push off the line and strong enough to push defenders off him.
Plays with a tangible confidence, a playmaking wide receiver, something he’ll have to rediscover at the next level after laboring in the obscurity of a redshirt year and working his way up the depth chart.
Adept at the possession routes, slants, curls, outs, Dangerous after the catch and hard to tackle. Consistent and fearless in traffic. Takes the ball into his chest more than you’d like, but excellent concentration even in tight spaces. A very disciplined route runner, obviously coachable and intelligent.
Impressive that these are junior highlights, meaning that he’s had two additional years to develop since these.
Doesn’t have burning speed, but a good athlete with great habits. Uses his hands well to get separation and keep smaller defenders off his body. Allen’s highlight video starts with blocking, meaning he could be a great fit for the physical possession receiver role filled by Garren Strong, Drew Davis and Lavasier Tuinei over the last few years.
Runs his routes to the sticks, very smart about where he’s supposed to be and giving his quarterback a big, reliable target. Particularly effective in the red zone, where his focus and playmaking ability shine. A tall receiver with good leaping ability and toughness. His high school quarterback is left-handed, meaning he’s flexible and able to adjust to a variety of throwing styles. Reads the ball well in the air and “feels” the defenders well without fear or hesitation. Very good awareness and timing.
Wonderful double move late in the highlight (5:10) for a td down the right sideline. Sells his fakes and drive steps extremely well. Cuts crisply, doesn’t tip his moves or oversell them them. Smooth, extremely polished for a high school receiver.
Approaches the position with a professional attitude and attention to detail. A veteran wide receiver coach like Lubick would be delighted with his habits and work ethic and apparent willingness to do everything asked of him in the offensive system.
A team player with a very sound motor and terrific discipline. Great combination of enthusiasm, agility and natural ability. Could develop into a high-volume target like Marqise Lee, Robert Woods or Jeff Maehl with his size, tenacity and body control, if he can stay confident working his way up the depth chart and adjusting to a new level of football.
Big hands, long legs and arms, lean, mature body. A prototype big receiver with a good head for the game. Well coached in a passing offense at a very high level of football, Texas 5A against strong competition versus many future D-1 players. Used to pressure and big stages, synthetic turf, big stadiums. Won’t be awed by bright lights and crowds after his baptism under the Friday Night Lights in the Houston area, one of the premier venues of prep football in the country.
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