With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to reflect on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did rookie GM James Gladstone deliver a masterclass, or has he just set the Jags back five years? Truth is, we probably won’t know that for some time. But we can get to know the newest members of the team a little bit better. In the latest of our mini-series of deep dives, here are three things to know about LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse:
Touchdown machine
Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen led all FBS backs with 64 catches this season.
He’s a menace on options routes. Also thrived in a variety of different screens at Syracuse.
On the short list for best pass-catching backs in the draft. pic.twitter.com/gFEdoxQxBF
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 18, 2025
LeQuint Allen delivered an impressive college career since arriving on the Syracuse campus in 2022. A three-star recruit out of Millville high school in New Jersey, Allen was highly coveted by a handful of East Coast teams, receiving seven scholarship offers primarily from ACC programs. The Orange won the rights for his services, and immediately began integrating Allen into their offense. The running back was used as an impact player, averaging 6.7 yards per carry as a freshman before becoming a focal point of the Syracuse offense in 2023.
Allen recorded back to back 1,000 rushing yard seasons as a sophomore and junior – but it was his touchdown production his final year at the JMA Wireless Dome that really caught the attention. Allen racked up 16 rushing scores his final year on campus – enough to lead all ball carriers in the ACC.
Perhaps more impressive was Allen’s evolution into a running back that was a serious weapon in the passing game. After flashing what he could do as a receiver in 2023, last year Allen went into overdrive, enjoying more than 500 receiving yards and adding four more touchdowns to his already impressive totals. In a three-year career, Allen finished with more than 3,200 all-purpose yards and 32 touchdowns – helping the Orange become an ACC force and come close to making the playoffs.
The Jaguars have long been trying to create a diverse backfield group that can help the offense in a myriad of ways. LeQuint Allen might just be able to do everything himself.
Tragedy overshadows achievement
As a freshman running back, LeQuint Allen had to bide his time for a leading role in Syracuse’s offense. But by the end of his first year on campus he had worked his way up the depth chart, making his first ever start for the Orange in the Pinstripe Bowl against Minnesota in December 2022.
That end to his first season of college football should have heralded an offseason of excitement for Allen as he prepared to take the next step and become a leader of the Syracuse football program. Instead, the running back found himself reeling from tragedy after his father was killed that February. Referred to as ‘The Valentine’s Day Shooting’ by local media, Allen’s father, LeQuint Allen Sr., was fatally shot after walking away from an argument in Lawrence Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Aged just 42, Allen Sr. had travelled the 140 miles to New York two months prior to watch his son start for Syracuse for the first time. It would sadly be the last time his father got to see Allen Jr. in the famous orange uniform. The shooter, Thomas Baker Jr., was arrested and charged with murder.
Allen would endure further adversity that offseason, ultimately having to sue the school he attended to allow him to play football in the 2023 season. Allen wound up in a fight defending a teammate, and was punished with a two-semester suspension, throwing his eligibility and place at the University in jeopardy. Ultimately the suspension was dropped and somehow, despite the tragedy and challenges, Allen thrived, having a sophomore season to remember. If mental strength and perseverance are two characteristics you want in a running back, Allen sure has them.
Cheesesteak connoisseur
LeQuint Allen is the MOST UNDERRATED player in the entire 2025 NFL Draft.
He has 2836 yards, 30 TDs, and 118 MTF in the last 2 seasons. He is a dangerous receiving threat, only dropping 4% of targets with 104 catches.
I currently have a day 2 grade on him in a stacked RB class. pic.twitter.com/qUjfkiynOS
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 1, 2025
After the previous revelations, I thought I would keep it light for the last thing you need to know about LeQuint Allen. So I scoured his social media handles for little tidbits that might give you an insight into the character of the Jaguars’ latest addition to the backfield. And I found a couple of gems…
Firstly, ahead of last year Allen was asked by the ACC Network what animal he would be if he was one. Now, football players don’t usually lack confidence, and so choosing a beast that would rule in the animal kingdom is no surprise. But two? Allen referred to himself as a cross between an ape and a lion, a hybrid that would strike fear into any other creature, let alone a linebacker trying to take him down in the open field. Little context was offered to the choice – which parts of each animal in particular? Perhaps we’ll find out this season…
Finally; brought up in Millville, NJ, Allen was raised less than an hour’s drive to Philadelphia. So of course it was inevitable he would be asked about his favorite cheese steak establishment in the City of Brotherly Love. Allen said his go-to restaurant for the classic Philly cuisine was a place called Ishkabibbles, a family-restaurant that has been serving since 1979 – particularly famous for being the home of the chicken cheesesteak. It’s become so popular, it’s opened a second store – on the same street! So if you’re ever in Philadelphia, be sure to check it out.