As they say in the NFL: Speed kills.
It would seem the Philadelphia Eagles added some speed this off-season.
Devon Allen, a wide receiver that the team signed as an undrafted free agent, competed in the USATF NYC Grand Prix on Sunday in the 110-meter hurdles, his specialty. Allen won the event with a time of 12.84 seconds, the third-fastest time in history:
THE THIRD FASTEST TIME EVER! @DevonAllen13 of the @Eagles wins the men's 110m hurdles! @SNFonNBC
📺: @nbc and @peacockTV
💻 https://t.co/DBJg3Xp3aA pic.twitter.com/2RXud8cqR2— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) June 12, 2022
Allen was a four-star recruit at wide receiver coming out of high school, and played three seasons for Oregon. His first year was his most productive, as he caught 41 passes for 684 yards and seven scores. Allen also ran track for the school, and won the NCAA Championship during the 2014 season. Injuries, however, sidetracked the rest of his collegiate career.
He turned his attention to the track after leaving campus, qualifying twice for the United States Olympic team. During the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles. During the 2021 games in Tokyo, he placed fourth.
Allen decided to attend Oregon’s Pro Day this past spring, and posted an unofficial 4.35-second 40-yard dash. That caught the attention of NFL scouts, including the Eagles, who invited him to their facility for a workout. The team signed him to a rookie deal the next day.
