Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen was awarded the Lott IMPACT Trophy last month. The annual award goes to the college defensive player having the most significant influence on his team.
When Hall of Fame safety and San Francisco 49ers legend Ronnie Lott presented Allen with the award, Allen didn't know who his presenter was or the impact he had on the NFL.
"Josh Allen told me after he won the award, he goes, 'I had to Google who you were,'" Lott said this week on the 49ers Insider Podcast with Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Allen may not have known who Lott was, but Lott certainly knew of Allen and had been impressed with the young pass rusher's play on the field.
"What a wonderful young man," Lott continued. "What a wonderful experience we had. He's going to be a player. He's going to play in the National Football League. He is someone that I know for a fact that he's going to make a team better because of all the elements that he brings."
Allen figures to be one of the first players off draft boards in April. He could even end up in San Francisco, which owns the No. 2 overall pick and is in desperate need of an impact pass rusher. That is, assuming the 49ers don't trade the selection.
Allen finished his senior campaign with Kentucky having registered 88 combined tackles with 21.5 for a loss and 17 sacks, including a three-sack performance in the Wildcats' 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Citrus Bowl.
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