Josh Allen

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Lore & Background

Allen's path to the NFL was unconventional. Growing up on a 3,000-acre cotton farm near Firebaugh, California, he worked the fields and attended his mother's restaurant. Despite being a Fresno State fan, he received no Division I scholarship offers because coaches viewed him as too small at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds in high school. He pitched baseball with a 90 mph fastball and was a top basketball scorer. After turning down a walk-on offer from San Diego State, Allen attended Reedley College. There, he grew to 6'5" and 210 pounds, throwing for 25 touchdowns in his final season. Wyoming's Craig Bohl became the only FBS head coach to visit the family farm, declaring Allen was "the face of our program." After a broken collarbone ended his first start at Wyoming, he returned to throw over 3,200 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2016 before staying for one more year.

In Their Own Story

The Bills selected Allen seventh overall in the 2018 NFL draft after trading up with Tampa Bay. Early in his career, old social media posts surfaced where he used racial and homophobic slurs; Allen apologized, calling himself "young and dumb." He started as a backup to Nathan Peterman before taking over in September 2018. His breakout came in 2020, leading the Bills to their first division title and playoff victory since 1995, culminating in an AFC Championship Game appearance. By 2024, Allen was named NFL Most Valuable Player. He has secured five consecutive division titles and two conference championship game berths, earning four Pro Bowl selections and two second-team All-Pro nods. In September 2025, Wyoming announced the retirement of his number 17 jersey, the first in program history.

Reader's Guide

Prospects looking at Josh Allen must note his unique development arc from a non-offered high school player to an MVP. He graduated with a degree in social science in 2017 and is set for induction into the University of Wyoming Hall of Fame in 2025. His physical transformation from 180 pounds in high school to a 6'5", 210-pound starter at Reedley College was pivotal. As a professional, he competes with an arm strength that allows him to throw effectively while running or moving off-platform. He led the team to seven playoff appearances and five straight division titles. In December 2017, after a win over Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, he declared for the draft. His resilience was tested early when a broken collarbone ended his first start at Wyoming, leading to a medical redshirt that allowed him to return stronger.

Did You Know?

• Allen grew up on a 3,000-acre cotton farm near Firebaugh, California, where his family has lived since the Great Depression.
• He received no NCAA Division I scholarship offers out of high school and was only 180 pounds at age 17.
• Wyoming's head coach Craig Bohl was the only FBS head coach to visit Allen's family farm during recruitment.
• In 2014, Allen ranked in the top four nationally in diversified crop production for cantaloupe, cotton, and wheat through the National FFA Organization.
• Josh Allen is the first player in University of Wyoming history to have his jersey number (17) retired.