MIAMI GARDENS ― When the Miami Dolphins signed rookie Kaytron Allen off of waivers from the Washington Commanders, they didn't just sign a running back.
The Dolphins signed Penn State's all-time leading rusher.
Yes, Kaytron Allen had more rushing yards than Saquon Barkley. More rushing yards than Blair Thomas. More rushing yards than Curt Warner. And Curtis Enis. And Larry Johnson. And Evan Royster. And Ki-Jana Carter.
"I was just trying to obviously win the national championship," Allen said of his college experience. "It didn't happen, but you know, I'm leaving there with my mark."
Allen is 5-foot-11, 217 pounds. He's strong. He's sturdy. He's durable.
"I feel like it happened because my preparation over time," Allen said of the record. "I continued
to get better each and every year. And, you know, just always trying to look for ways to get better."
For the record, Allen posted 4,180 rushing yards in college. Yes, 4,180.
Allen fell to the 6th round in the last NFL Draft because scouts said he had good size and vision but below-average long-speed explosiveness.
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley likes power football and he likes power backs.
"Physical," Hafley said of Allen. "We saw him first hand when we played against Washington and practiced against Washington. Had a really successful career at Penn State, ran for a ton of yards, had a lot of success there. When he became available, (GM Jon-Eric Sullivan) and I talked and it was a guy we were excited about."
Allen comes to Miami with a chip on his shoulder, considering his draft position and already being waived early in his NFL career.
"I feel like I can do a lot of things that people think I can't do," Allen said. "Physical, get downhill and things like that."
Allen may not be a burner but he appears to have short-area quickness and an ability to make the first tackler miss. He's also patient and knows how to set up and use his blockers well.
Allen, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, did not top 20 receptions in any college season. So he'll have to prove he can be a reliable pass-catcher as needed.
Allen did have 4 games, 12 carries and 41 rushing yards with Washington this season.
Some Commanders fans were upset the team chose to roll with 31-year-old Austin Ekeler over Allen. But Washington is is more of a win-now mode than Miami, which has time to develop the youngster.
At the moment, Allen is behind Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright as Miami's No. 3 running back.
Former Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson was Allen's teammate in college. He has given Allen the low down on what to expect in Miami.
Chop's advice?
Keep getting better. And fit into the culture.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami added Penn State's rushing king as Jeff Hafley builds power game
