In this article, we will explore the college journey of Dakota Allen, an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas Tech and East Mississippi Community College. He was also featured in the second season of the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U.
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Allen | Texas Tech University, East Mississippi Community College | Bachelor of Arts | University Studies | 2018 |
Dakota Allen is a professional football player who has played for several teams in the National Football League (NFL). He is known for his skills as a linebacker, a defensive position that requires speed, strength, and agility. He is also known for his inspiring comeback story, as he overcame a criminal charge and academic struggles to return to his original college and graduate with honors.
But where did Dakota Allen go to college? How did he balance his studies and his sports career? What did he learn from his college experience? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we take a closer look at Dakota Allen’s educational journey.
Educational Journey
Dakota Allen began his collegiate career at Texas Tech University, a public research university in Lubbock, Texas. He redshirted his freshman season, meaning he did not play any games but practiced with the team and prepared for the next season. As a redshirt freshman, he was the second-leading tackler for the Red Raiders, with 87 stops. He also earned a spot on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team, which recognizes student-athletes who excel in both academics and athletics1
However, after the end of the season, he was charged with second-degree burglary along with two teammates and ultimately expelled from Texas Tech. All charges were eventually dropped against Allen after agreeing to enter a pre-trial diversionary program2
Following his dismissal, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), a public community college in Scooba, Mississippi. He was featured in the second season of Last Chance U, a documentary series that follows the EMCC Lions football team, which is composed of players who have faced academic or personal problems at other schools. Allen recorded a team-leading 117 tackles with two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five pass breakups. He also earned a spot on the NJCAA All-America First Team, which recognizes the best junior college football players in the nation3
Despite his success on the field, he only received scholarship offers from Bowling Green and Troy due to his previous arrest. However, he later received offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Marshall, but opted to return to Texas Tech to finish his collegiate career4
Allen had a breakout junior season in 2017, with 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six forced turnovers. He was named to the All-Big 12 by Pro Football Focus and to the second-team All-Big 12 by coaches and media. As a senior, he made 73 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and was named first-team All-Big 12. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in University Studies with concentrations in sociology, psychology and human sciences. He was also named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team and earned the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award from the Big 12 Conference.
Early Life and Background
Allen was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Humble, Texas. He attended Summer Creek High School and was a standout football player for the Bulldogs. As a senior, he recorded 112 tackles and three interceptions and was named the Defensive MVP of District 19-4A. He committed to play college football at Texas Tech over offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Kansas State, and Iowa State1
Allen was always interested in sports and physical activities since he was young. He played basketball, baseball, soccer, and track in addition to football. He also enjoyed reading books and watching movies with his family. He credits his parents for instilling in him the values of hard work, discipline, and faith.
Post-College Journey
Allen’s college education influenced and shaped his professional career as a football player. He learned valuable lessons from his coaches and mentors at both Texas Tech and EMCC. He also developed his leadership skills and his resilience in the face of adversity.
Allen entered the 2019 NFL Draft and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round with the 251st overall pick. He became the first player from Last Chance U to be drafted into the NFL. However, he was waived by the Rams before the start of the regular season and signed to their practice squad. He was then claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders, but was waived again after two weeks and re-signed to the Rams’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in December 2019 and made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2020, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played in 14 games and recorded 20 tackles and a forced fumble. He also made his first career start against the Green Bay Packers. In 2021, he played in four games and made 10 tackles before being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. He was released by the Jaguars in March 2022.
In April 2022, he signed with the Cleveland Browns, but was waived in August 2022 after suffering a hamstring injury. In September 2022, he signed with the Denver Broncos, but was released in October 2022. As of now, he is a free agent looking for a new opportunity in the NFL.
Impact and Significance
Allen’s educational background is perceived as an example of perseverance and redemption in his field. He overcame a serious mistake that could have ended his football career and his academic aspirations. He proved himself on and off the field at both Texas Tech and EMCC. He earned his degree and his accolades with hard work and dedication.
Allen has also made comments and reflections about his college years. He has expressed his gratitude to Texas Tech for giving him a second chance and to EMCC for helping him grow as a person and a player. He has also shared his advice to other students who may face similar challenges or difficulties. He has encouraged them to stay focused, positive, and humble.
Interesting Anecdotes
Here are some interesting anecdotes from Allen’s college years:
- Allen was nicknamed “The Mayor” by his teammates at EMCC because of his popularity and charisma. He was also voted as the team captain by his peers3
- Allen wore jersey number 40 at Texas Tech as a tribute to Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who left his football career to join the U.S. Army after the September 11 attacks. Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004. Allen admired Tillman’s courage and sacrifice for his country.
- Allen received a handwritten letter from former President George W. Bush after graduating from Texas Tech. Bush congratulated him on his achievements and wished him well in his future endeavors. Allen said he was honored and humbled by the gesture.
Relevance to Today’s Students
Allen’s college journey is relevant to today’s students who are aiming for similar fields or goals. His story shows that college education is not only about academics, but also about personal growth, character development, and social responsibility.
Students can learn from Allen’s college journey that:
- Mistakes are not fatal, but opportunities to learn and improve.
- College is a place to explore your interests, passions, and talents.
- College is also a place to meet new people, make new friends, and build lasting relationships.
- College is a time to challenge yourself, push your limits, and achieve your potential.
- College is a stepping stone to your career, but not your final destination.
Conclusion
In this article, we have answered the question “Where did Dakota Allen go to college?” We have learned that he attended Texas Tech University and East Mississippi Community College. We have also learned about his educational journey, his early life and background, his post-college journey, his impact and significance, some interesting anecdotes from his college years, and his relevance to today’s students.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and that you have gained some insights into Dakota Allen’s college journey. We encourage you to pursue your own college education goals and to follow your dreams.