David Allen (2021) - K-State Athletics Hall of Fame - Kansas State University Athletics

David Allen

Induction:
2021
Class:
2000

An electric running back and return specialist, David Allen starred for K-State football from 1997 through 2000. Despite an injury-shortened senior season, Allen left K-State as the all-time leader in career punt return average, yards, attempts, and touchdowns, with his seven career punt return touchdowns tying a NCAA record. A three-time All-Big 12 honoree, Allen burst into the national spotlight as a sophomore in 1998, becoming the first and only player to return a punt for a touchdown in three consecutive weeks while setting an NCAA record with four punt returns for touchdowns in a season, earning consensus 1^st-team All-American honors. In 1999 as a junior, Allen earned 1^st-team All-American honors again and was named one of five finalists for the Mosi Tatupu National Special Teams Player of the Year Award. Allen earned the starting running back spot as a senior in 2000, but an injury in the first game of the season ended his career at K-State. Allen went on to play six years of professional football, including five years in the NFL. In 2008, Allen was placed in the Ring of Honor at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and in 2018 was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.