With their final pick of the 2019 NFL draft, the 251st selection overall, the LA Rams last night selected Dakota Allen. A linebacker, Allen came to the notice of many when he appeared on the second season of hit Netflix series Last Chance U.
The show features troubled football stars attempting to turn their careers around by playing at junior college level.
Allen originally played for Texas Tech out of high school but was kicked out when charged with second degree robbery in 2016. He subsequently attended East Mississippi Community College, the school which appeared on Last Chance U.
After a long journey, Dakota Allen (@dakota_allen40) finally hears his name called during the NFL Draft and is officially the first member of the show to be selected in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/610q6ZCj4C
— Last Chance U (@LastChanceUAlum) April 27, 2019
Two months after the charges were made against Allen, they were dismissed in exchange for community supervision.
At East Mississippi, he got his career back on track. He spent an entire season with the Lions, leading them to an 11-1 record.
His performances at EMCC caught the eye of many, including Texas Tech. He returned to the Red Raiders and had an impressive 2017 season.
Dakota Allen is now a Ram!! Congratulations to the former Lion, just drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2019 NFL Draft!! #PR1DE #OnceALion pic.twitter.com/YX430IRqOR
— EMCC Athletics (@EMCCathletics) April 27, 2019
"We definitely talked to him, interviewed him at the Combine, we did a lot of research on him,” Rams general manager Les Snead said regarding Allen following the draft.
"And I think the number one thing we try to find out when someone goes through adversity is what happens after that adverse moment and is there any lessons that are applied."
