Former USC track star Ashton Allen, born in Chester, has always had a love of football, writes Devin Jackson for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Even though he won a national championship in the 4×100 with USC in 2022, he has kept his eyes on the NFL.
Now, Temple football coach Stan Drayton believes Allen’s speed could make him an integral part of the Owl’s offense.
Allen has had offers to play football at Power Four conference colleges, including Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh. In the end, though, he followed his two brothers, Eric and Austin, and joined the Southern California Trojans’ track program.
He tried joining USC’s football team “a few times” but logistics and scholarship rules wouldn’t let it happen.
In March, Allen entered his name in the transfer portal. He committed to the Temple Owls two months later, playing wide receiver.
“It was definitely an adjustment [switching back to football],” Allen said. “It took a couple practices, with [Temple wide receivers coach Tyron Carrier] in my ear telling me to have confidence and play with speed, because that’s my advantage.”
He’s made some impressive plays at summer football camp, hauling in a 65-yard touchdown in nine-on-nine drills.
Read more about Ashton Allen’s football career in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
