Penn State football: Top 30 prospect raves over new DC Tom Allen

In 2024, Penn State football will look to maintain its string of elite defenses following the departure of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to Duke at the end of last year. It’s certainly a tall task, but it’s one that James Franklin tapped former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to fulfill. So far, early returns are good for the new Nittany Lions defensive coordinator. Following his visit to Happy Valley last weekend, Trent Wilson, a top 30 prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, spoke of the strong impression left by Allen and the Penn State coaching staff. 

2025 recruiting: Tom Allen left a strong impression on top 30 prospect Trent Wilson

When James Franklin hired Tom Allen in December, we knew Penn State football was getting a top defensive mind with experience coaching in the Big Ten. But the Nittany Lions’ new defensive coordinator is already showing his prowess on the recruiting trail as well. 

Following his junior day visit to Penn State last weekend, four-star defensive lineman Trent Wilson had high marks for Tom Allen. 

“The new defensive coordinator is amazing,” Wilson said of Allen to Brian Dohn of 247Sports. “He is involved heavily in the defensive line room and has a scheme for the defensive linemen to make plays.” Following the visit, Wilson noted to Dohn that Penn State football is “high on my list.”

Tom Allen, Penn State's new defensive coordinator, left a good impression on 4⭐️ DL Trent Wilson this past weekend.

Wilson noted that Penn State is "high on my list."

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— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 23, 2024

Allen’s strong first impression could pay dividends for the Nittany Lions on the defensive front. The top prospect in Maryland for the 2025 recruiting cycle, On3 rates Trent Wilson as the No. 4 defensive lineman and the No. 26 overall recruit in the class. The Dr. Henry Wise High School product holds 26 offers to date, including from top programs like Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, and Maryland. 

Current Penn State football players give early thoughts on new defensive coordinator

It’s not just recruits who have spoken highly of Tom Allen since arriving in State College. Leading up to the Peach Bowl, starting safety KJ Winston was one of the current Nittany Lions who highlighted what the new defensive coordinator will bring to Penn State. 

“He’s a great guy,” Winston said. “I’ve talked to Tom Allen a number of times. He brings the energy. When we see him interacting and things like that, he brings the energy. That’s what you’ve got to have on defense, that energy and that juice. Seeing that he has that to him, I’m looking forward to getting to know him more and seeing what else he brings to the table. What I’ve seen lately, I’m very excited to see, being able to be coached by him next year.”

Allen, for his part, isn’t shying away from the high standard set for the Penn State defense. 

“That excites me, and I want to be able to build off what they’ve had here,” he stated. “And I love the fact that there’s a standard of expectation that you’re going to play great defense at Penn State. That’s been going on a long time, before any of us got here. That’s that positive pressure that you want, to allow yourself to be driven towards greatness.”

Tom Allen won’t call a play for several more months, but he appears to have the momentum pointed in the right direction for Penn State football on the defensive side heading into 2024. 

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