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Taurean Allen

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Taurean Allen
Date of birth (1987-02-15) February 15, 1987 (age 37)
Place of birthEtobicoke, Ontario
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)DB
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight195 lb (88 kg)
Canada universityWilfrid Laurier
High schoolApplewood Heights
CFL draft2010 / round: 2 / pick: 13
Drafted byCalgary Stampeders
Career history
As player
2010–2011Calgary Stampeders

Taurean Allen (born February 15, 1987) is a former professional Canadian football defensive back who played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Stampeders selected Allen in the second round of the 2010 CFL Draft. He played college football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. In 2010, Allen played in six regular season games for the Stampeders, recording seven tackles. He did not play in the 2011 season due to injury and was released shortly thereafter.

Early career

Allen played college football at Wilfrid Laurier University as a cornerback. As a freshman player in 2007, Allen led the secondary unit with seven knockdowns along with two interceptions. He was named a first-team Ontario University Athletics (OUA) All-Star and a second-team All-Canadian.[1][2] Allen was again named to the OUA All-Star first team in 2008 and 2009.[3][4] He studied communications while at Wilfrid Laurier.[5] He also played at the CIS East West Bowl in his final year with the Golden Hawks after recording 16.5 tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception in 2009.[6][7]

Professional career

In September and December 2009, the CFL Scouting Bureau ranked Allen thirteenth on the list of top draft prospects for the 2010 CFL Draft.[8] Allen saw his ranking increase to eighth place after being invited to the CFL evaluation camp at the University of Toronto.[5][9] Going into the draft, Allen was reported to be the fastest cornerback available for selection.[10] The Calgary Stampeders selected Allen in the second round of the 2010 CFL Draft with the 13th overall pick.[10] After drafting Allen, Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel stated that Allen could play at cornerback, but the team would attempt to transition him to safety.[11] Allen signed with the Stampeders on May 17, 2010 and spent time during the offseason training with several of his new teammates in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[12][13]

In training camp, Allen competed with Wes Lysack and Eric Fraser for the starting safety position. Lysack and Fraser were considered to be stronger players than Allen physically, but Allen was both quicker and possessed greater ability in coverage.[14] Allen started the first preseason game at safety but also spent significant time on the field as a cornerback, his previous position.[15] After making the regular season roster, Allen spent the month of July moving on and off the roster but playing in no games.[16][17][18] Allen made his CFL debut on July 31, 2010 in a 23–20 win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in which he played off the bench.[19] He continued to spend most of his time on the inactive list or the practice squad throughout the season, playing sporadically. Allen also missed playing time due to a leg injury.[20] He finished the season with seven tackles in six games.[21] Allen's contributions were largely on special teams, where he performed five of his tackles. He played in the West Final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[22][23]

Starting safety Lysack was released from the Stampeders during the offseason, and several players competed alongside Allen for the starting role in training camp, including Eric Fraser, Milt Collins, Mark Holden, and Saleem Borhot.[24] Allen's preseason was cut short by an injury that affected his hip, groin, and leg, causing the Stampeders to place him on the nine-game injured list before the season opener.[25][26] He ultimately did not play in the 2011 season.[21] The Stampeders released Allen during the offseason. The Leader-Post's Allen Cameron cited his injuries as the primary cause of his relatively quiet and brief career in the CFL, saying they "slowed his development and sapped his confidence".[27]

Later life

After his professional career, Allen went on to work for Aerotek as a technical recruiter and account manager.[28]

References

  1. ^ Rivet, Christine (November 22, 2007). "Laurier lineman named best in country". The Record. p. C1.
  2. ^ "Nine Golden Hawks make OUA all-stars leading up to awards". The Record. November 7, 2007. p. E4.
  3. ^ "7 Hawks named to OUA all-stars". The Record. November 5, 2008. p. C3.
  4. ^ "Small consolation: 10 Hawks get all-star nod". Waterloo Chronicle. November 10, 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Cheaters never prosper, says WLU's top CFL prospect". Waterloo Chronicle. April 8, 2010.
  6. ^ "Tons of talent and intrigue spice this year's exercise; Allen Cameron". The Calgary Herald. May 2, 2010. p. F2.
  7. ^ "Four players selected in CFL draft". Waterloo Chronicle. May 5, 2010.
  8. ^ Rivet, Christine (December 10, 2009). "Laurier players ranked highly in CFL draft Player left a lasting impression". The Record. p. C1.
  9. ^ "WLU's Quinney signs with Argos". Waterloo Chronicle. January 12, 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Laurier's Allen gets a luck 13th pick in CFL draft". Waterloo Chronicle. May 2, 2010.
  11. ^ "Stamps' 2010 draft picks". The Calgary Herald. May 3, 2010. p. D3.
  12. ^ "Calgary Stampeders sign second-round pick, defensive back Taurean Allen". Carleton Place. May 17, 2010.
  13. ^ Cameron, Allen (May 18, 2010). "Stamps pick seeks edge at U.S. camp; Young defender 'relishes challenge'". The Calgary Herald. p. F6.
  14. ^ Cameron, Allen (June 6, 2010). "Battle stations!". The Calgary Herald. p. F3.
  15. ^ Myers, Sean (June 18, 2010). "Lysack hopes coaches prefer golden oldie; Veteran pushed for DB position by two youngsters". The Calgary Herald. p. E4.
  16. ^ Cameron, Allen (July 2, 2010). "Game Story". The Calgary Herald. p. E3.
  17. ^ Cameron, Allen (July 14, 2010). "Game Day". The Calgary Herald. p. C2.
  18. ^ Cameron, Allen (July 24, 2010). "Game Day". The Calgary Herald. p. E5.
  19. ^ Cameron, Allen (August 1, 2010). "Rambo's return lifts Stamps; Calgary remains tied with Riders atop West Division". The Calgary Herald. p. E3.
  20. ^ Odland, Kristen (October 28, 2010). "Defensive back learning on the job this year; Allen just wants to get better". The Calgary Herald. p. HP5.
  21. ^ a b Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-9835136-6-7.
  22. ^ Cameron, Allen (May 25, 2011). "Allen eyes Stamps' corner position". The Calgary Herald. p. C3.
  23. ^ Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-9835136-6-7.
  24. ^ Cameron, Allen (June 6, 2011). "Calgary picks up Borhot from Eskimos; DB 'glad to be coming home'". The Calgary Herald. p. D4.
  25. ^ Cameron, Allen (June 26, 2011). "No news good news for Antwi; Mount Allison product makes stamps roster in final cuts". The Calgary Herald. p. E3.
  26. ^ Cameron, Allen (July 1, 2011). "Game day". The Calgary Herald. p. D3.
  27. ^ Cameron, Allen (May 2, 2012). "CFL draft offers day of intrigue". The Leader-Post. p. D2.
  28. ^ "Taurean Allen". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
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