Photo Courtesy of Allen Love’s Twitter Account (@rfy_55)
Coach Petrino did a great job in filling a big need with big DT Allen Love joining UofL. To get a guy with so much potential so late in the game is a huge coup for UofL.
Love is a big, but athletic 6’3 285 lbs DT. For such a large man, he’s very quick and nimble on his feet. The potential he has, in my opinion, is off the charts.
Photo Courtesy of Allen Love’s Twitter Account (@rfy_55)
As UofL has demonstrated from past classes, they love versatile defensive linemen. Love fits that mold perfectly. He will primarily line up as a DT, but he can also line up as a DE from time to time.
Love’s first step and initial burst upon the snap of the ball is insane. He’s often on the offensive linemen so quickly that they can’t even block him. He just seems to bounce off would-be blockers and makes the play.
When he is blocked, Love has power and can shed blocks with ease or bull rush the offensive linemen into the backfield. He also demonstrated a few pass rush moves such as a swim move to get over a block. Love is an interior defensive lineman who will stuff the run, but he has the ability to rush the passer too. His strength is also evident when tackling. Once he gets his big paws on a ball carrier or QB, they do not escape his grasp.
The trait the I really noticed is his ability to recognize who has the ball. He rarely seems to get fooled by option type plays. He identifies the ball carrier quickly and engulfs them. He’s not one to be easily fooled with read options from what I saw of his highlights.
UofL is obviously in need of DTs and Love is the perfect guy to get. Like all incoming freshmen, there will be things to work on. However, he seems to have a great base to build on. Welcome to the Ville Allen Love.
Check out his Hudl highlights below and see what you think.
