A year ago, despite being projected as a second day pick, Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen made the decision to bypass the 2018 NFL Draft and return to Lexington for his senior season.
After turning in one of the best individual seasons in school history in 2018, that decision has made Allen millions upon millions of dollars.
In a game he didn't even have to play in, Allen capped off his Kentucky career Tuesday by recording three sacks and blocking a field goal in the Wildcats' 27-24 win over No. 12 Penn State at the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Afterward, Allen made his case to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
"You all record this," Allen said, "if I don't go No. 1, I don't know who is."
The winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy, all three of which recognize college football's top defensive player, Allen finished 2018 with 88 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles, seven quarterback hurries and four pass breakups.
He extended his career and single-season school record for sacks. Allen's 31.5 career sacks ranks top-10 all-time in SEC history.
Allen wasn't alone in his beliefs.
"If Josh Allen is not the first pick of the draft I will be lost for words," UK assistant coach Vince Marrow tweeted. "He is by far the best player in college football hands down. Go Big Blue."
Kentucky linebacker Kash Daniel echoed those sentiments.
"I couldn't be more proud of him," Daniel said. "There's your number one pick."
A former 2-star recruit who was originally committed to Monmouth out of high school, Allen also won the Jack Lambert Award recognizing the nation's top linebacker, was also named consensus SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Butkus Award presented to the nation's top linebacker. He is also a finalist for the Hendricks Award (defensive end of the year) and has been selected to participate in the Reese's Senior Bowl.
Allen also earned First-Team All-America honors from Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sports Illustrated, TheAthletic , ESPN, Associated Press, College Football News, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, USA Today, CBS, American Football Coaches Association and Athlon.
"Josh Allen is one of the best stories we've had in college football in a long, long time," the SEC Network's Tony Barnhart tweeted. "Monmouth was his only offer until Kentucky came along. Hope he makes a ton of money in the NFL."
Allen started the season projected as a first round pick but has continued to climb higher and higher up NFL Draft boards. When ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. updated his big board in late November, he had Allen at No. 4 overall. ESPN's Todd McShay also has Allen in the top 10.
The Arizona Cardinals own the rights to the No. 1 overall pick and could be looking for a pass rusher, as are several teams slated to pick in the top five. Allen finished 2018 as the highest-graded pass rusher in college football according to Pro Football Focus.
Chicago Bears four-time All-Pro and 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and fellow former 2-star recruit Khalil Mack reached out to Allen this season to offer his support.
"He told me my game is further than his was in college," Allen said. "That motivated me right there. But to get where he's at and eventually be better than him is the goal."
Quarterback Tim Couch, who also helped lead Kentucky to a New Year's Day bowl vs. Penn State, is the Wildcats' only top pick, going No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Draft.
The 2019 NFL Draft will take place starting Thursday, April 25 in Nashville.
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