Where are they now?: ‘Last Chance U’ star Dakota Allen
LOS ANGELES (BVM) – The hit Netflix series “Last Chance U” was made with people like Dakota Allen in mind.
After being charged with second-degree burglary (the charges were later dropped) and expelled from Texas Tech, Allen sought out his second chance at East Mississippi Community College. He showed why he was a Division I talent during his lone season at EMCC in 2016 and rejoined Texas Tech the following year.
Allen went on to rack up 165 tackles over the next two seasons with the Red Raiders which led to him being selected with the 251st overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. It marked the first time a “Last Chance U” player was drafted into the NFL.
After signing a four-year, $2.5 million contract prior to the 2019 season, Allen was waived during final roster cuts but signed to the practice squad the next day. Less than a month later, Allen was signed by the Oakland Raiders off the Rams’ practice squad and less than two weeks later, made his NFL debut on October 6, 2019, against the Chicago Bears.
New Raider Dakota Allen packs a wallop. pic.twitter.com/IzltT9ysM6
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 24, 2019
The Raiders waived Allen later that month after appearing in two games before he returned to Los Angeles and was signed to the Rams’ practice squad.
In December of 2019, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Allen off the Rams’ practice squad and the former Netflix star has remained there ever since. He replaced starter Myles Jack in Week 4 of the 2020 season and played in 13 games for the Jaguars, mostly on special teams. Allen finished the 2020 season with 18 total tackles (12 solo), four special teams tackles and three tackles for loss.
His reward was an exclusive-rights free agent tender he signed with the Jaguars on April 15, 2021.
Big play by Dakota Allen (@dakota_allen40) last night vs the Broncos pic.twitter.com/LFGFTnZihv
— Last Chance U (@LastChanceUAlum) August 25, 2019
Allen has continued to crack Jacksonville’s gameday lineup even with new head coach Urban Meyer and has appeared in each of the Jaguars’ six games this season. He was busy on Sunday in London as he totaled three tackles and a forced fumble during Jacksonville’s first victory of the season, a 23-20 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Although Allen’s future looked bleak at one point, his perseverance and undeniable talent has led to a three-year NFL career that hasn’t shown any indication of slowing down.
After Last Chance U 🏈
Dakota Allen (@dakota_allen40)
Jacksonville Jaguars pic.twitter.com/w4qoFQ9KYQ— Last Chance U (@LastChanceUAlum) March 27, 2021
