After the Broncos signed defensive end Zach Allen, learn more about him and his journey to Denver with these five facts:
1. After nearly quitting football in high school, he became Connecticut's Player of the Year
As he hoped to become a professional athlete, Allen originally didn't see much a future in football, as opposed to in basketball or baseball. Playing offensive line didn't feel like much fun and his chances at going pro in football, as a result, seemed slim. So, as he told Boston College’s “The Heights” magazine, he told his coach he wanted to quit.
That coach — Lou Marinelli, winner of 13 Connecticut high-school state championships — pushed back on that.
"He said, 'I don't want you for offensive line, I just want you to play the game and we'll figure it out,'" Allen recalled. "And I ended up playing outside linebacker, loved it, was able to start my sophomore year, and just rolled with it."
On the edge, Allen was dominant for New Canaan High School. In addition to helping the Rams to two state titles, he set the school's sack record and was named Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2014.
He even got a shoutout from All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham after Allen returned an interception for a touchdown and emulated Graham with a dunk on the crossbar.
2. He was equally dedicated to his academic pursuits
Allen didn't only receive accolades for his feats on the football field.
He was also a member of the National Honor Society and received distinction from the National Football Foundation for his academics, in addition to being an outstanding athlete.
"His dedication to his studies led to one of the nation's highest academic honors for student-athletes," Michael Sullivan wrote. "Allen was one of five football players recognized as a National Football Foundation National High School Scholar-Athlete. He was invited to the New York's famous Waldorf Astoria to receive the honor, alongside four other standout players, including UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen."
At Boston College, Allen received the Cecilia B. and Richard J. Canning Athletic Scholarship and, as a freshman, garnered the Athletic Director's Award for Academic Achievement. He went on to major in finance.
As Sullivan wrote, Allen's parents pushed him in that area, even as a young kid.
"Like most other parents who want their children to be little geniuses, the Allens signed Zach up for chess club in second grade," Sullivan wrote. "The club won a national tournament[.]"
3. He was one of the best defensive linemen in Boston College history
During his collegiate career, Allen was one of the most productive defensive players in Boston College history. He ranks fifth in career tackles for loss and sixth in career sacks.
Allen was named second-team All-ACC in 2018, twice was an academic All-ACC selection and received the 2019 Eagle of the Year award, which is Boston College's highest athletics honor.
As Allen prepared for the draft, ESPN’s Matt Bowen said he was particularly good with his bull-rush and rip move.
"I see a physical player in a 6-foot-4 frame who could make an impact at tackle or end and play in multiple schemes," Bowen wrote. "Allen can hit blockers with the bull rush to drive them back, or he can take a power/rip approach to attack an edge. He is a strong pass-rusher who is advanced in his hand usage as a rusher."
Follow new Broncos defensive end Zach Allen from his college days at Boston College to starting his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.
Boston College's Zach Allen (2) tackles Virginia Tech's Travon McMillian during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Boston, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Virginia Tech won 23-10. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston College's Zach Allen (2) warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Boston College defensive end Zach Allen (2) plays against Miami offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Boston, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
South quarterback Jarrett Stidham, left, of Auburn, tries to escape pressure from North defensive end Zach Allen, of Boston College, during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Boston College defensive lineman Zach Allen participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Arizona Cardinals third round draft pick Zach Allen speaks during an NFL football news conference, Thursday, May 9, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (97) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) rushes the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 31-19. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks for a call as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) makes the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Defensive lineman (94) Zach Allen of the Arizona Cardinals enters the field during player introductions before playing against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Panthers defeated the Cardinals 34-10. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen advances the ball after intercepting a pass by Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton ,left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Chicago. The Cardinals won 33-22. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) runs the ball in for a first quarter touchdown after recovering a fumble from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL Professional Football Game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Arizona Cardinals fans cheer as Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) scores a touchdown as he returns a fumble for the score against the Seattle Seahawks as umpire Bryan Neale (92) and Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) look on during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen rushes against the Los Angeles Rams line, including offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (70), during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) tackles Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (15) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) warms up beside a Crucial Catch sign before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (26) dives with the ball against Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Seattle, WA. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 19-9. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen pauses on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Chargers defeated the Cardinals 25-24. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) and defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrate during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
4. He was a third-round pick by the Cardinals
In 2019, the Cardinals selected him in the third round of the draft. Though Allen lasted until the draft's second day, the Cardinals had him graded as a first-round talent, Arizona’s general manager said in its all-access show.
His rookie season was cut short because of a neck injury, but he appeared in 41 games over the past three seasons, starting 34 games. In that span, Allen has steadily progressed as a pro. He annually improved his sack, quarterback-hit and passes-defensed totals. In 2022, he recorded 47 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and eight passes defensed.
5. J.J. Watt took him under his wing in Arizona
After joining the Cardinals in 2021, J.J. Watt became Arizona's elder statesman in the defensive line room. For young, developing players like Allen, Watt's impact was huge.
"It's kind of like you always think you're doing enough and then you see what he's doing," Allen told ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. "... You're like, 'OK, J.J. Watt's doing it, I'm doing it. I gotta be doing the right thing.'"
According to the defensive line coach, Allen sat next to Watt in their position group's meeting room. In constant search of how to be a better player, Allen would pepper Watt with questions.
"It's one of those relationships where you're happy because you know he just wants to get better," Allen told Weinfuss. "... Sometimes, I just [say] 'Zach, I just gotta breathe for like five seconds.' But, it's awesome."
