The Cleveland Browns selected two young running backs in last year’s NFL draft. Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State had a great year before he became injured. He was voted to the NFL All-Rookie Team. At the same time, Dylan Sampson, who had been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year while playing for Tennessee, was also taken by the Browns.
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The duo eliminated the need for veteran Jerome Ford, who signed with the Washington Commanders during free agency. Raheim Sanders
had inked a three-year deal with Cleveland, while Ahmani Marshall was signed to a reserve/futures contract.
The Browns need a third running back. Is that Rocket Sanders? Could Marshall work his way into that job? Or will the coaching staff need another guy to fill that position?
Ever heard of running back Curtis Allen? Let’s dig into this young man a bit.
GM Andrew Berry may not be done with this room. The NFL draft could bring in another capable back for quality depth. Here is a good prospect who made his mark as a small-college guy.
Curtis Allen – Virginia Union
Draft projection: Round 6
Browns pick: #206
Allen started all 12 games for Virginia Union and rushed for an NCAA Division II single-season record 2,409 yards. Yes, that many yards in just a dozen games.
He also led the nation with 30 rushing touchdowns.
Allen doesn’t have elite speed, but he is very quick. He utilizes patience to find the correct gap, then uses another gear for a burst and new acceleration to hit the hole in a hurry. His YAC numbers are very good since he is able to run through arm tackles. He also possesses a well-placed stiff arm.
He is also a very good blocker in the backfield with the size to back it up. He is willing to step up and take on linebackers and bigger safeties. He is able to slow down defenders with good strength and agility.
As far as his receiving skills, Allen is a marginal pass catcher. He will drop a few passes on occasion, but will get good gains as the last option in flared-out routes. In college, he wasn’t used much as a receiver, so his skills need to be worked on. All of this means he has a limited route tree.
Then there are the accolades.
For starters, he was voted the winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy. This award is given to the athlete selected as the best player in NCAA Division II. It is the lower-level version of the Heisman Trophy.
He also won the Deacon Jones Trophy, awarded to the nation’s most outstanding athlete among historically black colleges.
Allen was named First Team Division-II Little All-American. He was named the Walter Camp Division II “Player of the Year.” He was also selected as CIAA “Offensive Player of the Year” and First Team All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Allen ended the 2025 season as the Division-II rushing yards leader, rushing touchdowns leader, total points scored, points per game, rushing yards per game, and yards per carry among high-volume backs.
When Allen runs behind his pads, he can run over defenders at the third level. He is an aggressive runner with good contact balance. His legs are always churning. It doesn’t take much for him to get to that second level. Allen is also very durable.
His nickname is “The Quiet Storm.”
Specifics:
2025 attempts: 297
2025 rushing yards: 2,409
2025 average yards per carry: 8.1
2025 touchdowns: 30
Accolades: Harlon Hill Trophy winner, Deacon Jones Trophy winner, Walter Camp D-2 Player of the Year, CIAA Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-CIAA, D-2 rushing leader
