Hubbry Logo
Ricardo AllenRicardo AllenMain
Open search
Ricardo Allen
Community hub
Ricardo Allen
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ricardo Allen
Ricardo Allen
Ricardo Allen
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Ricardo Jamal Allen (born December 18, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he played seven seasons before playing his final season with the Cincinnati Bengals. After his playing career, he coached two seasons with the Miami Dolphins and was released after the 2023 season.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Allen attended Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida.[1] Allen committed to Purdue University on October 16, 2009.[2]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Ricardo Allen
CB 		Daytona Beach, Florida Mainland High School 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.35 Oct 16, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (76)
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 34 (CB)    Rivals: 29 (CB), 57 (FL)    ESPN: 50 (CB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Purdue Football Commitment List (24)". Rivals. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  • "Purdue College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  • "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 9, 2013.

College career

[edit]

As a freshman at Purdue in 2010, Allen recorded 73 total tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, three interceptions, two pick-sixes, and seven passes defended.[3] As a sophomore in 2011, he recorded 79 total tackles, three tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, one pick-six, one forced fumble, and seven passes defended.[4] As a junior in 2012, Allen broke the Purdue record for interceptions for touchdowns.[5] In total, he recorded 45 total tackles, four sacks, one tackle-for-loss, one pick six, and five passes defended.[6] He was a second team All-Big Ten Conference selection.[7] As a senior in 2013, he recorded 53 total tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one sack, six interceptions, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.[8]

Statistics

[edit]
Purdue Boilermakers
Season Tackles Interceptions
Solo Ast Cmb TfL Sck FF Int Yds Avg TD PD
2010 56 17 73 3.5 1.0 0 3 129 43.0 2 7
2011 60 19 79 3.0 0.0 1 3 37 12.3 1 7
2012 42 3 45 4.0 1.0 0 1 39 39.0 1 5
2013 42 11 53 4.0 1.0 1 6 42 7.0 0 3
Career[9] 200 50 250 14.5 3.0 2 13 247 19.0 4 22

Professional career

[edit]
Allen at Falcons training camp in 2014
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 9+1⁄8 in
(1.76 m)		 187 lb
(85 kg)		 30 in
(0.76 m)		 9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.61 s 1.66 s 2.72 s 4.15 s 6.90 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		 13 reps
All values are from NFL Combine/Purdue's Pro Day[10][11][12]

Atlanta Falcons

[edit]

2014

[edit]

The Atlanta Falcons selected Allen in the fifth round (147th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[13] Allen was the 18th cornerback selected in 2014.[14]

On May 18, 2014, the Falcons signed Allen to a four-year, $2.42 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $200,500.[15][16]

Throughout training camp, he competed against Robert McClain, Josh Wilson, and Javier Arenas for the job as the starting nickelback.[17] Throughout the preseason, he saw minimal playing time on defense. On August 28, 2014, Allen recorded four solo tackles and deflected his second pass of the preseason during a 24–14 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Falcons' fourth preseason game. On August 30, 2014, Allen was released by the Falcons as part of their final roster cuts.[18] On September 2, 2014, the Falcons signed him to the practice squad and retained five cornerbacks on the active roster, including Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Wilson, McClain, and Arenas.[19]

On December 16, 2014, the Falcons promoted Allen to the active roster after fellow defensive back Robert Alford was sent to injured reserve.[20] On December 29, 2014, the Falcons fired head coach Mike Smith after they finished third in the NFC South with a 6–10 record in 2014.[21] He was inactive for the Falcons last two regular season games and did not record a stat during his rookie season.[22]

2015

[edit]

Entering organized team activities, the new Falcons' coaching staff opted to move Allen from cornerback to safety. The change was due to the Falcons failing to secure a new free safety to replace Dwight Lowery and to give Allen a better opportunity to make the active roster. He competed for the job as the starting free safety against Charles Godfrey and Kemal Ishmael.[23] Head coach Dan Quinn named Allen the starting free safety to begin the regular season, alongside strong safety William Moore.[24]

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Falcons' season-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles and recorded a seven combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass by Sam Bradford during their 26–24 win.[25] In Week 3, Allen recorded seven solo tackles before leaving the Falcons' 39–28 victory against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter after sustaining a knee injury. He was inactive for their Week 4 victory against the Washington Redskins due to a sprained MCL.[26] On November 1, 2015, Allen recorded six combined tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Jameis Winston during the Falcons' 23–20 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[27] In Week 13, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles during a 23–19 loss at the Buccaneers. He finished the 2015 season with 68 combined tackles (59 solo), four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 14 starts.[28]

2016

[edit]

On March 7, 2016, the Falcons placed a one-year, $525,000 exclusive rights tender on Allen to secure him for the upcoming season.[29][30]

Allen entered training camp slated as the starting free safety, but saw minor competition from Robenson Therezie for the role.[31] Defensive coordinator Richard Smith named Allen the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside strong safety Kemal Ishmael.[32]

On October 23, 2016, Allen recorded a season-high eight combined tackles during a 33–30 loss to the San Diego Chargers. In Week 13, he tied his season-high of eight combined tackles in the Falcons' 29–28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The following week, Allen made six combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Jared Goff during a 42–14 victory at the Los Angeles Rams.[33] He finished the season with a career-high 90 combined tackles (61 solo), three pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[34]

The Falcons finished the 2016 season first in the NFC South with an 11–5 record, clinching a first round bye and home field advantage through the playoffs. On January 14, 2017, Allen started in his first career playoff game and assisted on two tackles, deflected a pass, and returned an interception by Russell Wilson for 45-yards during the Falcons' 36–20 NFC Divisional Round victory against the Seattle Seahawks. The following week, Allen collected five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Aaron Rodgers in their 44–21 victory against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship.[35] On February 5, 2017, Allen made seven combined tackles in the Falcons' 34–28 overtime loss in Super Bowl LI to the New England Patriots.[36] The Falcons' defense allowed 19 points in the fourth quarter and defensive coordinator Richard Smith was fired after the defense' collapse in the Super Bowl.

2017

[edit]

On March 7, 2017, the Falcons signed Allen to a one-year, $615,000 contract.[29] Allen entered camp slated as the de facto starting free safety.[37] Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel officially named him the starter, alongside strong safety Keanu Neal, to begin the regular season.[38]

On September 25, 2017, Allen recorded three combined tackles before leaving the Falcons' 30–26 victory at the Detroit Lions in the third quarter after suffering a concussion. He remained in concussion protocol and was inactive for their Week 4 loss to the Buffalo Bills.[39] On December 3, 2017, Allen recorded a career-high ten combined tackles during a 14–9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 17, he assisted on two tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass by Cam Newton in the Falcons' 22–10 victory against the Carolina Panthers.[40] He finished the 2017 season with 54 combined tackles (28 solo), two pass deflections, and an interception in 15 games and 15 starts.[41]

The Falcons earned a wildcard berth after finishing third in the NFC South with a 10–6 record. They went on to defeat the Rams 26–13 in the NFC Wildcard Game. On February 13, 2018, Allen recorded four solo tackles in the Falcons' 15–10 loss to the eventual Super Bowl LII Champions, the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round.[40]

2018

[edit]

On March 12, 2018, the Falcons placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Allen. The tender was a one-year, $2.91 million deal that kept Allen under contract for the 2018 season.[42][29] On August 6, 2018, Allen signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract extension with the Falcons, keeping him under contract through the 2021 season.[43] In Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, Allen suffered a torn Achilles tendon and was ruled out the rest of the season.[44]

2019

[edit]
Allen meeting Defense Secretary Mark Esper before a game against the Buccaneers in 2019

In week 11 against the Panthers, Allen recorded his first interception of the season off Kyle Allen in the 29–3 win.[45] In week 17 against the Buccaneers, Allen intercepted a pass thrown by Jameis Winston and returned it for 27 yards during the 28–22 overtime win.[46]

2020

[edit]

In Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, Allen recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Drew Lock during the 34–27 win.[47] In Week 17, in Allen's last game as a Falcon, he recorded a pick off of Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady in a loss.

The Falcons released Allen on February 18, 2021 after seven seasons.[48]

Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

Allen signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on March 29, 2021.[49] He was named the backup safety to Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell to start the season. He suffered a hand injury in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve on September 15, 2021.[50] He was activated on October 9.[51] Allen took the majority of his snaps on the Bengals playing special teams. In his lone season with the Bengals, Allen made his second Super Bowl appearance when the Bengals played the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

A week after playing in the Super Bowl, Allen announced his retirement after eight seasons in the NFL.[52]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2015 ATL 15 14 69 60 9 1.0 0 3 13 0 13 5 0 1 0 0
2016 ATL 16 16 90 61 29 0.0 0 2 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 0
2017 ATL 15 15 54 38 16 0.0 1 1 4 0 4 2 0 0 0 0
2018 ATL 3 3 17 14 3 0.0 0 1 28 0 28 3 0 0 0 0
2019 ATL 16 16 85 54 31 0.0 4 2 29 0 27 8 0 0 0 0
2020 ATL 12 12 25 18 7 0.0 1 2 29 0 19 5 0 0 0 0
2021 CIN 14 1 15 11 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
91 77 355 256 99 1.0 6 11 106 0 28 26 0 1 0 0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2016 ATL 3 3 14 6 8 0.0 0 2 45 0 45 2 0 0 0 0
2017 ATL 2 2 5 5 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2021 CIN 4 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 5 20 12 8 0.0 0 2 45 0 45 2 1 0 0 0

Coaching career

[edit]

On March 3, 2022, Allen joined Mike McDaniel's inaugural Miami Dolphins staff as a special teams assistant.[53][54]

On March 10, 2023, it was announced that Allen would be an offensive assistant for the Dolphins.[55] After the 2023 season, the Dolphins chose not to renew Allen's contract.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ricardo Allen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ricardo Allen (born December 18, 1991) is an American former professional who played as a in the (NFL) for eight seasons, appearing in two Super Bowls with the and , before retiring in 2022 and transitioning to roles in coaching and NFL player representation. Allen attended , where he played as a and set a school record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns during his career, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches in 2012. Selected by in the fifth round (147th overall) of the out of Purdue, Allen initially contributed on special teams and as a reserve before transitioning to , starting 76 of 77 games over seven seasons with and recording 11 interceptions, 28 passes defensed, and 346 tackles. He became a key rotational player and special teams captain for , participating in following the 2016 season, where fell to the . After being released by in 2021, Allen signed a one-year contract with the Bengals, where he provided veteran leadership and depth at safety, appearing in 14 games (one start) and contributing nine tackles while playing in against the . Allen announced his retirement from playing at age 30 in February 2022, concluding his career with 355 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and appearances in 91 regular-season games plus two Super Bowls. Post-retirement, he joined the ' coaching staff as a special teams assistant in 2022 and was promoted to offensive assistant in 2023, before departing the organization in early 2024. Since 2024, Allen has worked as a certified NFL Players Association (NFLPA) agent and vice president at Legacy Trust Sports Group, representing players in contract negotiations.

Early life

Childhood and family

Ricardo Allen was born on December 18, 1991, in . He grew up in a single-parent household led by his mother, Brenda Green, who supported the family by working two jobs. Allen was one of four siblings, and he became the first of his four siblings to graduate from both high school and college, earning a degree in from . Allen's childhood in Daytona Beach was marked by economic hardship and a tough urban environment rife with activity, , and involving drugs and . From a young age, he expressed interest in football, yearning to join leagues, but his mother could not afford the participation fees, preventing him from playing organized sports until high school. Instead, he focused on staying out of trouble, often working out on his own, such as jumping rope before meals or lifting weights late at night. A defining incident occurred during Allen's middle school years when he started a grease in the family kitchen while cooking hamburgers and fell asleep, leaving the stove unattended. His older brother, Adrian Allen, a promising at with aspirations, rushed home from practice and attempted to douse the flames with water, causing an explosion that severely burned his entire arm and derailed his athletic future. Their mother, , arrived home shortly after to a chaotic scene, with Adrian in agony. Overcome with guilt, young Ricardo vowed to take up football the following year, aiming to fulfill his brother's unachieved dreams and contribute to the family's stability. This event profoundly shaped Allen's determination, propelling him toward a path in the sport.

High school career

Ricardo Allen attended in , where he began playing football as a freshman in 2007 after forgoing youth leagues due to financial constraints faced by his single mother. Initially weighing 168 pounds, Allen played both and , motivated by a desire to stay active and avoid negative influences among peers. He also participated in soccer and during his high school years. As a junior in the 2008 season, Allen emerged as a key defensive contributor for the Mainland Buccaneers, recording 57 total tackles (20 solo), 6 passes defensed, 1 , and 1 forced across 9 games. His physical style, including hard-hitting tackles that often caused , drew praise from coach Scott Wilson, though Allen received limited local media attention beyond one notable mention for a hit against a rival team. The Buccaneers enjoyed a strong campaign that year, securing victories in all recorded games featuring Allen's stats, such as a 34-7 win over Seabreeze and a 47-0 against Lake Howell. In his senior year of 2009, Allen tallied 64 tackles and 2 interceptions, solidifying his reputation as a versatile . He committed to on October 16, 2009, earning a three-star rating from as the 29th-best cornerback nationally and 57th overall prospect in , with Power 5 offers reflecting his recruiting profile. Allen's dedication extended beyond games, as he routinely trained with extra conditioning like jumping rope and weightlifting after practices. In recognition of his impact, retired Allen's No. 21 jersey in February 2018, making him the first football player in school history to receive the honor.

College career

Ricardo Allen played for the as a from 2010 to 2013, appearing in 50 games and starting 48 over his four-year career. As a highly touted recruit from in , Allen quickly adapted to the , becoming a four-year starter known for his ball-hawking skills and versatility in the secondary. He finished his Purdue tenure with 250 total tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss, 13 (second in program history), and 4 interception returns for touchdowns—a school record previously held by players like and Mike Rose. As a true freshman in 2010, Allen burst onto the scene with 73 tackles (56 solo) and 3 s, two of which he returned for s, tying for the Big Ten lead in interception return s. He also contributed 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 4 passes defended, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, and recognition as a key contributor on a defense that faced tough competition. In 2011, his sophomore year, Allen started all 13 games and recorded a team-high 79 tackles (60 solo), along with 3 more s (1 returned for a ), 4 passes defended, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble. His performance earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and honorable mention from the media. Allen continued his strong play as a junior in , starting 11 of 13 games and notching 45 tackles (42 solo), 1 (returned for a ), 4 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. That season, he broke the Purdue career record for returns for with his fourth pick-six, a 39-yard return against Marshall. He was again honored with second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and honorable mention by the media, while also being named to the watch list as one of the nation's top defensive backs. In his senior year of 2013, Allen started all 12 games, led the team and tied for the Big Ten lead with 6 interceptions and added 53 tackles (42 solo), 3 passes defended, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. His leadership and production culminated in second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, honorable mention from the coaches, and Purdue's Defensive award at the postseason banquet. Allen's consistent excellence helped anchor Purdue's secondary during a transitional period for the program, paving the way for his selection in the fifth round of the .

Career Statistics at Purdue

YearGamesStartsTacklesSoloAstTFLSacksINTINT TDPDFF
201012127356173.51.03240
201113137960193.00.03141
20121311454234.01.01100
201312125342114.01.06031
Career50482502005014.53.0134112
Source: Sports-Reference.com

College statistics and awards

During his four seasons at from 2010 to 2013, Ricardo Allen established himself as a standout , primarily playing as a , with career totals of 250 tackles (200 solo), 13 for 247 yards and four touchdowns, 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, 11 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles over 50 games. His interception returns for touchdowns set a Purdue program record, and he led the in that category for his career. Allen's statistical contributions peaked in his freshman and sophomore years, where he ranked among the Big Ten leaders in solo tackles (seventh in 2010 with 56, fifth in 2011 with 60) and interceptions (sixth in 2010 with three, seventh in 2011 with three). The following table summarizes Allen's yearly defensive statistics at Purdue:
SeasonClassGamesSolo TacklesAst. TacklesTotal TacklesTFLSacksINTINT YdsINT TDPDFF
2010FR125617733.51.03129240
2011SO136019793.00.0337141
2012JR13423454.01.0139100
2013SR124211534.01.0642031
Source: College Football at Sports-Reference.com In 2013, Allen led the Big Ten (tied) with six interceptions, anchoring Purdue's secondary during a challenging 1-11 season. Allen earned All-Big Ten recognition each of his four seasons for his defensive prowess. As a freshman in 2010, he was selected to the second team by media voters after recording 73 tackles, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and 3.5 tackles for loss. As a sophomore in 2011, he was selected to the second team by coaches and received honorable mention from media voters after recording 79 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and three tackles for loss. In his junior year of 2012, he was selected to the second team by coaches and received honorable mention from media voters after recording 45 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown, and four tackles for loss. In his senior year of 2013, he garnered second-team honors from media and honorable mention from coaches, highlighted by his league-leading interceptions. Additionally, at Purdue's end-of-season banquet in December 2013, Allen was named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player.

Professional career

Draft and rookie season

Allen was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round, 147th overall, of the out of , where he had been projected as a slot cornerback due to his quickness and experience covering slot receivers in college. On May 18, 2014, he signed a four-year worth $2.42 million, including a of $200,500. During the 2014 preseason, Allen competed for a depth role at but struggled to secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster amid a crowded secondary. On August 30, 2014, the Falcons waived him as part of their final cuts to reach the roster limit. He was re-signed to the team's on September 2, 2014, where he spent most of the season contributing to preparations without game action. On December 16, 2014, the Falcons promoted Allen from the practice squad to the active roster to bolster secondary depth late in the season. Despite the promotion, he did not appear in any of the team's final two games, including the regular-season finale, and recorded no statistics during his rookie year. Allen's limited involvement reflected the challenges faced by late-round rookies in establishing themselves on a veteran-laden defense.

Atlanta Falcons tenure

Allen was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (147th overall) of the as a out of Purdue. After being released during final cuts, he joined the team's and was elevated to the active roster for the final two games of his rookie season, where he did not record any statistics. Under new head coach Dan Quinn in 2015, Allen transitioned to free safety and earned a starting role, competing successfully against other candidates to play in 15 of 16 games that year, starting 14. He recorded 69 tackles, three interceptions, one sack, one fumble recovery, and five pass deflections, establishing himself as a key member of the secondary. In 2016, Allen started all 16 regular-season games, amassing 90 tackles and two interceptions while contributing three pass deflections. His postseason performance was particularly notable; he started three playoff games, including , and recorded two s, one of which came in the divisional round against the , helping secure a 36–20 and advancing the to the NFC Championship. The ultimately fell to the in overtime during the . Allen continued as a starter in 2017, appearing in 15 games with 54 tackles, one , one tackle for loss, and two pass deflections, while also forcing a fumble in the playoffs. Prior to the 2018 season, Allen signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract extension with , including a $5.5 million and at least $10.5 million guaranteed, recognizing his role as a core defensive player. However, his season was cut short after just three games, in which he tallied 17 tackles, one , and three pass deflections, due to a torn suffered in overtime of a loss to the on September 23. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year, marking a significant setback after his perseverance from a challenging upbringing and early career hurdles. Allen returned strong in 2019, starting all 16 games and recording 85 tackles, two interceptions, four tackles for loss, and eight pass deflections. His and consistency were highlighted as inspirational for younger players, drawing from his Daytona Beach roots where he overcame being overlooked in high school recruiting. In 2020, limited by injuries to 12 starts, he contributed 25 tackles, two interceptions, one tackle for loss, and five pass deflections before released him in February 2021 as part of management. Over his seven seasons with , Allen started 76 games, accumulating 340 total tackles and 11 interceptions, solidifying his tenure as a reliable and resilient .

Cincinnati Bengals stint and retirement

On March 24, 2021, Ricardo Allen signed a one-year contract with the worth $1.49 million, including a $400,000 signing bonus, marking his departure from the after seven seasons. During the 2021 regular season, Allen served primarily as a backup and special teams contributor, appearing in 14 games with one start and recording 15 total tackles (11 solo). His role emphasized veteran leadership, mentoring younger safeties like III and , while logging 171 defensive snaps (19% of team total) and 109 special teams snaps (27%). In the playoffs, Allen participated in all four of the Bengals' postseason games, including Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams on February 13, 2022, where Cincinnati fell 23-20, though he saw no defensive snaps and focused on special teams duties, contributing 1 tackle. Following the Super Bowl, Allen announced his retirement from the NFL on February 20, 2022, via Instagram at age 30, after eight professional seasons, citing a desire to transition into coaching and having discussed his plans with teammates throughout the year. Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo noted Allen's value as a teammate and special teams player, expressing confidence in his coaching future.

Career statistics and accomplishments

NFL regular season statistics

Ricardo Allen appeared in 91 regular season games over seven NFL seasons from 2015 to 2021, starting 77 of them primarily as a safety for the Atlanta Falcons and briefly for the Cincinnati Bengals. He recorded 355 combined tackles, including 256 solo stops, along with 1 sack, 11 interceptions for 106 yards, 26 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. His most productive year came in 2016 with the Falcons, where he amassed 90 combined tackles and 2 interceptions while starting all 16 games. Allen's defensive contributions peaked during his Falcons tenure, where he averaged over 70 tackles per full season from 2015 to 2019, showcasing his reliability in the secondary before injuries limited his play in 2018 and 2020. In his final season with the Bengals in 2021, he shifted to a rotational role, appearing in 14 games with just 1 start and 15 combined tackles. Overall, his interception total of 11 highlights his ball-hawking ability, with at least one interception in six of his seven seasons.
YearTeamGGSCombSoloAstSkIntInt YdsPDFFFR
2015ATL1514696091.0313501
2016ATL16169061290.023300
2017ATL15155438160.014200
2018ATL33171430.0128300
2019ATL16168554310.0229800
2020ATL1212251870.0229500
2021CIN141151140.000000
Career-9177355256991.0111062601
Statistics sourced from Pro-Football-Reference.com

NFL postseason statistics

Ricardo Allen appeared in nine NFL postseason games during his career, split across stints with the in 2016 and 2017, and the in 2021. His most notable playoff contributions came during the Falcons' 2016 run to , where he started three games and recorded two interceptions alongside 14 tackles. In the 2017 playoffs, Allen started both of Atlanta's games but had a quieter outing with five tackles, one forced fumble, and no interceptions. With the Bengals in 2021, he appeared in all four playoff contests primarily on special teams, logging just one tackle. Overall, Allen tallied 20 combined tackles, two interceptions for 45 yards, two passes defended, and one forced fumble in postseason play, demonstrating his value as a versatile in high-stakes games. Allen's playoff interceptions both occurred in the 2016 postseason: one for 45 yards in the divisional round against the Seattle Seahawks on January 14, 2017, and another in the NFC Championship Game versus the Green Bay Packers on January 22, 2017. These picks highlighted his ball-hawking skills, contributing to Atlanta's defensive efforts en route to the Super Bowl, though the Falcons fell 34-28 in overtime to the New England Patriots. In Super Bowl LI, Allen led the team with seven tackles but could not secure additional turnovers. His 2021 role with Cincinnati was more limited, reflecting his transition to a depth and special teams player late in his career, with his lone tackle coming in the wild-card win over the Las Vegas Raiders on January 15, 2022. Allen forced a fumble in the 2017 divisional playoff against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 13, 2018. The following table summarizes Allen's year-by-year NFL postseason statistics:
YearTeamGamesStartsTackles (Solo/Assist)Interceptions (Yds)Passes DefendedForced Fumbles
2016ATL3314 (6/8)2 (45)20
2017ATL225 (5/0)0 (0)01
2021CIN401 (1/0)0 (0)00
Career-9520 (12/8)2 (45)21
Statistics sourced from Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Awards and honors

During his time at , Ricardo Allen earned several accolades for his performance as a . In 2012, he was selected to the second team All-Big Ten by the coaches and received honorable mention from the media. He was also named to the watch list for the , recognizing the nation's top , that same year. In 2013, Allen was honored as Purdue's Defensive by the team. In his professional career with the NFL, Allen did not receive major on-field honors such as Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections, but he was recognized for his character and contributions off the field. In 2017, he was nominated by the Atlanta Falcons for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which honors players for their sportsmanship. That year, he also won the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) Atlanta Chapter "Good Guy" Award, given to the player who best cooperates with the media. In 2019, the Falcons nominated him for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the league's highest honor for community service, acknowledging his work as a founding member of the team's Social Justice Committee.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

Following his retirement from the NFL in February 2022, Ricardo Allen transitioned into coaching with the , where he began his professional career. In March 2022, he was hired as a special teams assistant coach, leveraging his eight years of experience, including four seasons as a starter with the and a mentorship role during his 2021 stint with the . Allen contributed to the Dolphins' special teams unit during the 2022 season, which ranked 25th in the in opponent punt return average (10.4 yards) and supported a playoff appearance. His role involved assisting Danny Crossman in player development and scheme implementation, drawing on his background as a versatile who had also handled special teams duties. In March 2023, Allen was promoted to offensive assistant coach ahead of the 2023 season, working under offensive coordinator to support the unit's preparation and in-game adjustments. The Dolphins' offense, which featured , finished the year ranked first in the league in total yards per game (401.3) and second in scoring (29.2 points per game), though Allen's specific contributions as an assistant focused on foundational support rather than play-calling. He departed the Dolphins' staff in January 2024 following the team's Wild Card playoff loss, concluding his two-year coaching tenure.

Transition to NFL agent

Following the conclusion of his coaching tenure with the in January 2024, where he served as an offensive assistant after starting as a special teams assistant, Ricardo Allen shifted his focus to player representation in the . Allen obtained certification as an NFLPA agent in 2024, marking his entry into the profession. In October 2025, he joined Legacy Trust Sports Group in a leadership capacity as vice president and NFLPA certified agent, drawing on his background as an eight-year veteran to support athlete negotiations and career development.

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/16882/ricardo-allen
  2. https://www.nfl.com/news/safety-ricardo-allen-announces-retirement-after-seven-seasons
  3. https://purduesports.com/sports/football/roster/player/ricardo-allen
  4. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleRi00.htm
  5. https://www.nfl.com/players/ricardo-allen/
  6. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-solidify-vet-leadership-with-versatile-db-ricardo-allen
  7. https://media.miamidolphins.com/wp-content/uploads/Allen-Ricardo-1.pdf
  8. https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/dolphins/2024/01/25/report-dolphins-move-on-from-coaches-ricardo-allen-mike-judge-and-brendan-farrell/79539632007/
  9. https://nflpa.com/profile/agent/48615
  10. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQU9fyxgQ6_/
  11. https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/32577/hometown-hero-ricardo-allen-a-model-of-determination-for-falcons
  12. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2013/11/08/childhood-accident-helped-propel-purdues-ricardo-allen-to-football/3478781/
  13. https://heavy.com/sports/2017/02/ricardo-allen-wife-grace-contract-salary-atlanta-falcons-nfl-mainland-high-school-purdue-university-height-weight-stats/
  14. https://www.maxpreps.com/fl/daytona-beach/mainland-buccaneers/athletes/ricardo-allen/football/stats/?careerid=dphg2q1nph9bb
  15. https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2018/10/05/volusiaflagler-gridiron-greats-complete-list-of-our-top-25-high-school-football-players/9626422007/
  16. https://www.hammerandrails.com/2020/8/18/21372542/boilers-in-the-pros-ricardo-allen
  17. https://www.si.com/college/purdue/football/ricardo-allen-to-serve-as-honorary-captain-for-purdue-football-game-against-northwestern
  18. https://247sports.com/player/ricardo-allen-2994/
  19. https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/article_064f3c23-1f65-59a7-a294-915199e3270f.html
  20. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ricardo-allen-1.html
  21. https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/54401/ricardo-allen-standing-tall-for-purdue
  22. https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20111215/local-college-football-player-awards
  23. https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/article_40b6d65e-ccf6-11e1-a12e-0019bb30f31a.html
  24. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/leaders/def-int-player-yearly.html
  25. https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/three-purdue-football-players-honored-with-postseason-awards/article_fb911292-5ba6-11e3-97f6-0019bb30f31a.html
  26. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/purdue/2013/12/08/purdue-football-kugler-allen-webster-earn-mvp-honors/3910955/
  27. https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/66389/2012-all-big-ten-teams-individual-awards
  28. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/14558/ricardo-allen
  29. https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2014/8/31/6088903/atlanta-falcons-announce-10-player-2014-practice-squad
  30. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/transactions/2014
  31. https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2020/7/12/21319060/falcons-player-profile-s-ricardo-allen-nfl-2020-projection-analysis
  32. https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2017/1/14/14269630/falcons-36-seahawks-20-final-score-atlantas-wins-divisional-round-nfc-conference-championship-bound
  33. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24302364/ricardo-allen-atlanta-falcons-reach-contract-extension
  34. https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-safety-ricardo-allen-suffers-torn-achilles-0ap3000000966154
  35. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2021/03/24/nfl-free-agency-cincinnati-bengals-sign-falcons-s-ricardo-allen/6982562002/
  36. https://www.bengals.com/news/quick-hits-combine-chatter-as-bengals-re-set-ricardo-allen-jump-started-coaching
  37. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleRi00/gamelog/post/
  38. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/nfl-playoffs-falcons-take-early-lead-over-eagles-after-forcing-turnover-20245462
  39. https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/ricardo-allen-nominated-for-art-rooney-sportsmanship-award/yHWjLhsa40PtHzJoXIZfwK/
  40. https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/ricardo-allen-wins-pfwa-good-guy-award/cbdrmvj1xybAXxw7t1yZhL/
  41. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/ricardo-allen-named-falcons-walter-payton-man-of-the-year
  42. https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/ex-falcon-ricardo-allen-joins-miami-dolphins-coaching-staff/GVNC7XJH45FV7BGH4E2SJNJBNI/
  43. https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-announce-2023-coaching-staff
  44. https://www.footballdb.com/statistics/nfl/team-stats/defense-punt-returns/2022/regular-season
  45. https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/_/season/2023/seasontype/2/view/team
  46. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2023.htm
  47. https://legacytrustsportsgroup.com/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.