Springstead OT Will Allen commits to UAlbany

Springstead OL Will Allen has orally committed to the University at Albany-SUNY, he said early Saturday evening.

“I’m glad my recruiting process is freakin’ over,” Allen said. “I was getting pulled all over the place.”

The first-team all-North Suncoast tackle isn’t kidding.

Allen, a 6-foot-7, 278-pound senior, earned scholarship offers from Football Championship Subdivision programs and interest from a handful of Ivy League schools. He also had opportunities to become a preferred walk-on at Vanderbilt, UCF or Florida.

“That kinda seemed too good to be true,” Allen said of playing for the Gators.

But after playing football his whole life, Allen said he didn’t want to watch from the sidelines in the SEC.

So he chose to commit to UAlbany, which is jumping to the FCS Colonial Athletic Association for next season.

“All the pieces kinda fit together for me,” Allen said.

Allen was one of Tampa Bay’s top linemen during his senior year. He helped the Eagles finish 9-2 and claim the Class 6A, District 6 title – the program’s first since 1996. He also played in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s North-South All-Star Game.

Oral commitments are non-binding until recruits sign their letters of intent.

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• Springstead High School