When it comes to recruiting, the name Drexlan Allen might not register state or nationwide like that of Fabian Franklin or Dandre Humbles. On that side of the sport, Allen is as underrated as they come.
But staying close to home, the folks that know Allen best realize his worth and potential to be that next Division I athlete to come out of Hattiesburg High.
“Drexlan’s definitely a guy that I think can play at the next level,” Hattiesburg head coach Tony Vance said. “He’s one of those guys, like I said, I don’t think is underrated. I think he’s one of those guys that’s been patient, waited on his time and when his number has been called, he’s produced.”
Just a junior, Allen has been as consistent at running back for the Tigers as Vance and his coaching staff could have ever hoped for. He played a little bit as a freshman and followed that with an incredible sophomore campaign last season. Filling in a good bit for a banged up Fabian Franklin, Allen finished with 715 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns.
“I’m used to all the big moments and all that,” Allen said of what the playing time meant. “Because most of the times I wasn’t thinking I would get thrown out there like that. But it taught me a lot about it.”
“When Fabian was down, Drexlan was able to be in the backfield and our production didn’t fall off,” Vance added. “When he comes to practice, he pays attention to what’s going on. Every day he comes to work. He understands he’s not as big as some of the other backs we have.”
Listed at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, Allen certainly doesn’t have the size or power that Franklin possesses. But Allen is a different kind of back, which is obviously a good changeup for this Tiger offense. Asked if there was a running back he would compare himself to, Allen was honest.
“I’m just me, myself and I, really,” Allen said. “Bouncing off tackles and getting through the small cracks. I’m the smallest out of everybody, so I can just bounce off all the big tacklers.”
The offers are sure to come sooner rather than later for Allen. It weighs on his mind some, but he understands it’s not the be-all or end-all, especially with the Tigers off to one of their best starts (5-0) in recent memory.
“I pray for it every night, but right now, I’m just focused on getting to state,” Allen concluded.
