Tennessee State will likely enter the 2024 season sans the best defensive player on the team and in the Big South-OVC, as defensive lineman Terrell Allen has entered the transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3sports and 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer.
Tennessee State defensive lineman Terrell Allen has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, @On3sports has learned.
The 2023 Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Year tallied 65 tackles and led the FCS in sacks (14.5) and TFL (28). https://t.co/VNvB2Ek6qR pic.twitter.com/mmQnrmnD55
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 30, 2024
Allen spent his first two collegiate seasons at Austin Peay before transferring to Tennessee State following his sophomore season. He appeared in 10 games in his solid first season at TSU, recording 36 total tackles ( 20 solos, 16 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two passes defended. However, the North Little Rock native exploded in his senior season, leading FCS in both sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (28).
The 28 tackles for loss set a Tennessee State record, including a program single-game record of 6.5 that Allen recorded against Lindenwood, which was amid a four-game stretch in which Allen posted at least 4.0 tackles for loss.
His performances on the season led to numerous honors, such as being named OVC Defensive Player of the Week for three consecutive weeks in October and a selection to the 2023 All Big South-OVC First Team Defense.
Allen was also named 2023 Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Year, and he won the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defensive player at the FCS level.
In addition, he was also named the FCS Football Central Defensive Player of the Year, First Team AP All-American, and FCS Football Central All-American.
