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Penn State Football 2017 Player Preview: Safety Marcus Allen

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) gestures to the crowd during the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) gestures to the crowd during the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Senior safety Marcus Allen will be one of the leaders on the Penn State defense in 2017. 

Penn State senior safety Marcus Allen could have left for the NFL after last year, but decided to return to Happy Valley for his final season. Allen is poised for a big year and will once again be a key piece of the Nittany Lion defense.

Since arriving at Penn State as part of the 2014 recruiting class, Allen has been a fixture in Penn State’s secondary.

Allen was called upon as a true freshman to play in 13 games and make seven starts. He finished that season with 58 tackles and was named to several Big Ten All-Freshman teams and was listed as a third team Freshman All-American by Athlon Sports.

In 2015 Allen was once again successful and was voted an honorable mention All-Big Ten. He made 12 starts and finished second on the team with 81 tackles.

Last year, Allen was an instrumental part of what was a solid Penn State defense. He started all 14 games and had three contests in which he recorded at leas 10 tackles. His career-best game came on October 1 when he made 22 total stops against Minnesota.

His name will forever be etched in Penn State lure thanks to his blocked field goal against No. 2 Ohio State that led to Grant Haley’s touchdown return.

Allen was named to several All-Big Ten teams after last season.

This year, Allen’s role could become even more important as a leader due to the likely season-ending injury to cornerback John Reid.

Next: Penn State Football Recruiting Roundup: June 7, 2017

Now fully experienced and an important veteran, Allen should be one of the better safeties in all of college football in 2017. Barring injury, look for Allen to start every game and be a major factor on defense for the Nittany Lions.

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