John Allen (2019) - M Club Hall of Fame - University of Memphis Athletics

John Allen

Induction:
2019

John Allen, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and a graduate of both City High School and Columbia Military Academy, signed with then-Memphis State University in the fall of 1967. After playing one season of mandated NCAA freshman football, Allen would earn a starting role as an inside linebacker for head coach Billy J. Murphy’s varsity squad and never relinquish his position. He was the second-leading tackler for the defense in 1968 with 62 stops and scored a touchdown on a 47-yard return of a fumbled punt against North Texas State. With 90 total tackles and three fumble recoveries, Allen received the Most Improved Player Award for the season. He again led the Tiger defense in tackles as a junior with 114 combined hits and received first team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors, as well as being named to the Associated Press All-America squad. The 1970 season found Allen in his same role at inside linebacker, and he again led the unit in total tackles with 107, in addition to his three fumble recoveries. Allen would receive All-Missouri Valley Conference and Associated Press All-America honors in 1970 and would finish his career with 311 defensive stops, including a 20-tackle performance against the University of Houston in 1968. Allen returned to the Chattanooga area following graduation and taught at The Bright School for 27 years until his retirement in 2014.