UK's Josh Allen is soaring up NFL draft boards after a dominant start

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Overshadowed by Kentucky’s overtime loss at Texas A&M was a play that seems to signal a worrisome trend surrounding the Wildcats’ best NFL draft prospect.

On second-and-goal from the Kentucky 7-yard line, senior outside linebacker Josh Allen appeared to break into the Texas A&M backfield with a shot at quarterback Kellen Mond. But, an Aggies offensive lineman hooked an arm into Allen's shoulder pads to restrain him just long enough for Mond to get off the pass as Allen ran by.

A flag followed, but the official didn't call holding. Instead the penalty was against Allen for roughing the passer since his arm had made contact with Mond just after he released the ball.

It’s a safe assumption that Kentucky coach Mark Stoops shares fans’ frustrations about that call and others, judging by his reaction to a question asked during Stoops' weekly coaches show on Monday if Allen was “theoretically the most-held player in college football."

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“Wow, that’s a good question,” Stoops said. “You trying to get me fined? I’m going to bite my tongue because I want to keep it in the checkbook. But no, he never gets held. Josh Allen is the best defensive player in the country, and he does not get held. It’s amazing.”

Considering the question came via Twitter, it seems likely Stoops could have avoided the topic all together if he wanted, but with tongue planted firmly in cheek he managed to get his point across without risking the wrath of the league office.

Asked after practice the next day if he could submit any of the perceived missed-holding penalties against Allen to the Southeastern Conference, Stoops confirmed he could.

“I’m not at liberty to discuss what they tell me, or I will be fined,” Stoops said.

Whether future holds are penalized or not, the Texas A&M play and others like it speak to Allen’s growing dominance in recent weeks.

Having won three of the first six SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards this season, Allen ranks eighth in the country in sacks (six) and ninth in tackles for loss (10.5) through six games. In the last three games against Mississippi State, South Carolina and Texas A&M, he has totaled 12 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

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ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Allen as the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2019 draft this week.

“The thing I’m probably most proud of with Josh right now, the things we’re practicing and emphasizing he’s been able to put into play in the game,” UK outside linebackers coach Brad White said. “I’ve been able to put cut-ups together and say, ‘Look this is what we did in individual (drills). Now look, it’s not just doing it to do it. See how it translates. And when you don’t do it see what happens.’”

White’s coaching has been key in Allen rocketing up NFL draft boards after electing to return to school for his senior season.

The New Jersey native started strong a year ago as well with 6.5 sacks in the first six games but recorded just one-half sack in the final seven. In the offseason, he worked to change his body, adding close to 30 pounds of muscle, while studying under White, who was hired as UK’s 10th assistant coach after spending six years on the Indianapolis Colts’ staff in the NFL.

Allen knows his draft stock won’t be completely solidified until he proves able to avoid a repeat of the second-half slump a year ago as teams pay more attention to him and, yes, even hold him on occasion.

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“Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games,” Allen said. “That’s what I live by.”

And if those holding flags continue to come more frequently than Allen, Stoops and fans think is warranted?

“If you’re a pass rusher you know you’re going to get held at times,” White said. “Not to get every O-line coach in America mad at me, but there’s holding on every play, offensively and defensively. ... You’ve got to live with chip blocks and holds. If you want to be an elite pass rusher, you learn to just play through that. If you let that frustrate you, then you’re just going to be an average pass rusher.”

Jon Hale: jahale@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @JonHale_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jonh.