For 6-4, 230-pound tight end Dwayne Allen , the climb to becoming a top football player really started in the offseason before his sophomore season. The Terry Sanford (Fayetteville, N.C.) star, knowing he would be a starter his sophomore year, put in the time to be as prepared as possible for his new role. Now, as a senior, he has turned himself into one of the top tight end recruits in the country.

After averaging 22 yards per catch last season as a junior, Allen put in the time this offseason to improve his strength and speed.

“I worked hard in the weight room pretty much everyday during the offseason,” said Allen. “The thing I had to work on the most was my running style. There was a lot of wasted motion. I did some yoga to improve my flexibility. I went to a running camp. I learned a lot of neat things, increased my lateral speed and my burst.”

The hard work has paid off.

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