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Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced Thursday on social media. Allen Jr. played three seasons with SU, totaling 2,359 rushing yards on 514 career carries and 26 total touchdowns.

“Finally to the Syracuse fans — thank you for your unwavering support throughout this journey. You supported me even when many didn’t. Your energy and encouragement meant the world to me. After much reflection I am excited to officially declare for the 2025 NFL Draft,” Allen Jr. said in his statement.

As a freshman, Allen Jr. backed up future NFL running back Sean Tucker. But after Tucker left for the NFL, Allen Jr. became SU’s workhorse back. He recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Orange, including a career-high 1,064 in 2023.

Prior to his sophomore season, it looked like Allen Jr. might not get the chance to be SU’s starter. On June 26, 2023, Allen Jr. filed a lawsuit against Syracuse University after it suspended him for two semesters. The punishment came following an on-campus fight in Dec. 2022 on Syracuse’s South Campus. Eventually, on July 12, 2023, Allen Jr. and SU reached an agreement that allowed Allen Jr. to play that fall.

Allen Jr. was crucial to Syracuse’s success, especially when starting quarterback Garrett Shrader was injured, which forced SU to use Allen Jr. out of the wildcat. In SU’s final three regular-season games of 2023, he totaled 87 carries for 367 yards, providing a springboard for his stellar 2024 season.

With Fran Brown becoming SU’s head coach this season, Allen Jr. decided to stay. Despite being in a pass-heavy offense led by Kyle McCord, Allen Jr.’s impact was felt. His four touchdown performance helped Syracuse upset UNLV on Oct. 4, where he scored the game-winner in overtime. Allen Jr.’s second overtime touchdown came on Nov. 2 against Virginia Tech, again where he scored three times.

Allen Jr. finished the season with 1,021 yards on 228 carries alongside 64 catches for 521 receiving yards. He recorded 20 total touchdowns, the most for the program since Walter Reyes’ 21 in 2003.

Allen Jr. capped off the season with 120 rushing yards and three scores in Syracuse’s 52-35 win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. Following the game, he told Fox’s Jenny Taft he would talk with Brown about his future. Ultimately, Allen Jr. decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the draft.

Allen Jr. joins wide receiver Jackson Meeks and defensive linemen Fadil Diggs as the only other Syracuse players to declare for the draft thus far.

Published on January 2, 2025 at 1:38 pm

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