Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen drafted late in 7th round

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars midway through the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Allen was taken with one of the final picks in the draft (No. 236 overall).

He entered the draft as one of the best pass-catching and route-running tailbacks in the 2025 class, but a deep class of running backs and lack of breakaway speed may have been contributing factors in him remaining on the board until the last round.

Allen is a one-cut runner whose versatility will be his ticket to making the roster in Jacksonville.

“This kid smells the goal line,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said on the broadcast.

Allen and Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo were the only two running backs in Division I FBS to rush for at least 1,000 yards and pick up 500 more through the air. Skattebo was drafted by the New York Giants with the third pick of the fourth round (No. 105 overall) earlier Saturday afternoon.

Six running backs were taken through the first three rounds, and 16 more went on Day 3 before Allen was selected.

Allen was the fifth running back drafted out of the ACC.

Drafting in professional sports has always been about potential. Allen’s numbers display potential, as he played for just three seasons and improved each year.

He showed flashes as a freshman, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and playing in all 13 games. As a sophomore, he ran for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns on 4.3 yards per carry. Last season, it all came together for Allen as he had an ACC-leading 16 rushing touchdowns and four more receiving.

Allen was told at the Senior Bowl and NFL combine that he has a future as a third-down back, and that may be how he earns a roster spot as a rookie.

Allen had one more year of eligibility remaining but had the goal of leaving for the NFL after his junior season.

“Early in the season, it was a talk about coming out early,” Allen said at Syracuse’s March 17 Pro Day. “The great season that we had, putting all the work in and things like that, the dreams came true.”

Allen and Syracuse had discussions about returning for his senior season, including the likelihood of a bump in pay.

Still, Allen felt it was time to turn pro.

Allen’s time at Syracuse was once in jeopardy after he faced a season-long suspension for punching another student at an on-campus party in December 2022.

Allen later filed a lawsuit against Syracuse University to get the suspension overturned, and the two sides reached a settlement allowing Allen to never miss a game.

Allen left Syracuse as one of just six running backs in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

He set a program record for most receptions (119) and receiving yards (848) by a Syracuse running back.

Allen finished his career fifth on the school’s list for total touchdowns (32), trailing only Floyd Little (46), Walter Reyes (46), Ernie Davis (35) and Eric Dungey (35).