Allen Lazard

BIOGRAPHY

Born on December 11, 1995, Allen Jamel Lazard is renowned as an American professional football player who plays as a wide receiver. He began his professional play with the Jacksonville Jaguars and later signed with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Earlier, in his college years, he played football at Iowa State and held the institution’s career record in both receptions and receiving yards. He has also played for the Green Bay Packers, indicating a promising career in American football.

Allen hails from Urbandale High School, where he displayed impressive levels of skill and talent. He served as a four-year starter in both offense and defense at his high school and set several unrivaled records, including 105 receptions, 2,349 receiving yards, 34 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. His high school years were decorated with numerous accolades – USA Today All American, Des Moines Register’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2013, Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, and a three-time All-State selection.

Renowned as a consensus four-star wide receiver, Allen garnered nationwide attention for his skills right from high school. He was ranked as the No. 1 recruit of Iowa state and the 7th best receiver in the country. He then followed in the footsteps of his father Kevin and brother Anthony and chose to play for the Iowa State Cyclones. Prior to enrolling at Iowa State, he participated in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Allen’s talent was immediately apparent at Iowa State, where he started 11 out of 12 games. As a freshman, he ranked second on the team in receptions (45), receiving yards (593), and scoring three touchdowns. The first catch of his career went for 48 yards against North Dakota State. His first touchdown pass took place in the next game against Kansas State. For his efforts, Lazard was named to the All-Big 12 honorable mention team and earned ESPN.com Big 12 All-Underclassman honors.

In the subsequent years, Lazard continued to improve and by his junior year, he had broken the school record for 100-yard receiving games with six and became the fourth player in school history to record a 1,000-yard season. Recognitions followed in the form of First-Team All-Big 12 by the Coaches and ESPN and as the Pete Taylor Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.

After completing his stint at Iowa State, Allen accepted an invitation to participate in the 2018 Senior Bowl and later signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. Although he was initially waived by the Jaguars and signed onto the practice squad, Allen eventually found a home with the Green Bay Packers who signed him off the Jaguars’ practice squad.

In Green Bay, Lazard recorded his first professional touchdown in a victorious game against the Detroit Lions, despite initial hurdles where he was waived and signed to the practice squad. Throughout his time with the Packers, Allen diligently worked on his game, setting personal records, and contributing to the team’s overall performance.

Lazard faced some setbacks during his NFL career, most notably undergoing core muscle surgery that resulted in him playing in six fewer games in the 2020 season. Despite this, he managed to record impressive stats that kept him within the radar of the top NFL teams.

As a free agent, Allen signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the New York Jets on March 17, 2023. He managed to tally a commendable record of 23 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown during his first 14 games of the 2023 season, ensuring his place on the team, and indicating promising years of gameplay ahead.

Throughout his career, Allen Lazard has shown immense dedication to his craft, continuously growing and learning with every game. From setting records in high school and college to being a key player in top NFL teams, Allen’s journey is testimony to his commitment, resilience, and talent as a professional football receiver. His accomplishments reaffirm his standing as one of the most promising talents in the American football scene.