Josh Allen’s journey to becoming the Buffalo Bills’ star quarterback is all about hard work and raw talent. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 237 pounds, he’s a dominant force now, but he wasn’t always in the spotlight. His path to the NFL started from a pretty humble place, with no Division I or II scholarship offers coming his way after high school. Allen was a three-sport athlete at Firebaugh High in California, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball, but his accomplishments didn’t get him much attention from college scouts at the time.
Even as he continued to develop his skills as a dual-threat quarterback, leading his team with both his arm and legs, Allen wasn’t really on the radar. At 6’3″ and 180 pounds his senior year, he still wasn’t getting noticed. He could throw a baseball at 90 mph and showed plenty of flashes on the football field, but he didn’t attend those elite camps or big tournaments where top college scouts typically look. As a result, he was overlooked despite his potential.
From JUCO Beginnings To Wyoming Breakout
In 2014, Allen enrolled at Reedley Junior College in California after every Division I and II program overlooked him. Initially, he was not even the starting quarterback; he seized the role by his fourth game and never looked back. That season, Allen appeared in 10 games, completing 127 passes for 2,055 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 660 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. His performance made him one of the top JUCO prospects, ranking No. 5 among dual-threat quarterbacks in his class.
In 2014, Allen enrolled at Reedley Junior College in California after every Division I and II program overlooked him. Initially, he was not even the starting quarterback; he seized the role by his fourth game and never looked back. That season, Allen appeared in 10 games, completing 127 passes for 2,055 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 660 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. His performance made him one of the top JUCO prospects, ranking No. 5 among dual-threat quarterbacks in his class.
Despite his breakout year, offers from Division I programs were scarce. Eastern Michigan showed initial interest but later withdrew its scholarship offer. It was the University of Wyoming that ultimately saw Allen’s potential, comparing him to then-prospect Carson Wentz. Allen joined the Cowboys in 2015, where he faced an early setback: a collarbone injury sidelined him after just two games. However, this allowed him to redshirt the season and return stronger in 2016.
Josh Allen’s Wyoming Success And The Road To The NFL
Allen’s first full season as Wyoming’s starting quarterback in 2016 was nothing short of spectacular. He passed for 3,203 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 523 yards and seven scores. His dynamic play led the Cowboys to an 8-5 record and earned him Second-Team All-Mountain West honors. Allen’s ability to make plays both in the air and on the ground was evident, but he was far from a polished product, as his 56% completion rate suggested.
Allen’s first full season as Wyoming’s starting quarterback in 2016 was nothing short of spectacular. He passed for 3,203 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 523 yards and seven scores. His dynamic play led the Cowboys to an 8-5 record and earned him Second-Team All-Mountain West honors. Allen’s ability to make plays both in the air and on the ground was evident, but he was far from a polished product, as his 56% completion rate suggested.
After contemplating entering the 2017 NFL Draft, Allen decided to return for his senior year. Though his numbers dipped due to injuries and less offensive support, throwing for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns, and rushing for 204 yards, he showed enough promise to remain a top NFL prospect. Allen’s college career concluded with 5,066 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, and 767 rushing yards over 27 games. In 2018, the Buffalo Bills traded up to select him with the 7th overall pick, setting the stage for his rise as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
