Hinsdale Central Grad Jack Allen Signs with New Orleans Saints

Chicago, IL - Jack Allen, a former Hinsdale Central High School lineman, has signed with the New Orleans Saints after he went undrafted Saturday in the NFL Draft, reports say.

Allen, a Hinsdale native, was a three-year starter for coach Mike DiMatteo at Central, and he graduated in 2011 as the school's all-time leader in career wins with 143 victories, according to Michigan State. Allen was also a standout wrestler.

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When Allen verbally committed to Michigan State University as a high school senior, he was listed as a three-star recruit by Scout.com, Rivals.com and ESPN. Scout ranked him the No. 7 center nationally, ESPN had him 10th and Rivals, 15th.

“I think Jack’s the best center in the state, and I don’t think anybody’s even close” DiMatteo said at the time. “He’s got the best combination of speed, athleticism, size, power. He’s the type of football player you want. They don’t come around like Jack Allen too often.”

At Michigan State, Allen started on the offensive line for four years. He had the second-most starts by an offensive lineman in Spartan school history, with 42 starts at center and five at left guard, according to the school.

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The back-to-back first-team All-American (USA Today, 2014) was the Michigan State's third offensive lineman to earn the honors twice — the 15th player overall in school history.

His accolades also include two-time first-team All Big Ten honors and two-time Rimington Trophy Finalist.

Allen came away from the NFL Combine with a grade of 5.51. NFL Draft expert Lance Zierlein wrote in Allen's profile that he is a "card­-carrying tough guy willing to put some extra spice on it when he finishes a block," though he "doesn't have the mass or length that some teams would like in a starting center."

Allen's Combine results, according to the NFL:

• Grade: 5.51
• 40-yard dash: 5.29 seconds
• Bench press: 23 reps
• Broad jump: 101.0 inches
• 3-cone drill: 7.90 seconds
• 20-yard shuttle: 4.73 seconds
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch tall
• Arm length: 32 1/4 inches
• Weight: 294 pounds
• Hands: 10 1/8 inches