Rookie Davis Allen Makes Stellar Debut for the Los Angeles Rams

It was a moment that Davis Allen had been eagerly awaiting. After a setback with a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for the entire training camp and the Rams' first preseason game, the former Clemson standout finally made his much-anticipated debut on Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Selected as the 175th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Allen wasted no time showcasing his skills in SoFi Stadium. 

The rookie tight end was targeted eight times during the game -- the first a 15-yard reception in the second quarter -- and in a remarkable display of precision, he hauled in every pass that came his way. His efforts accumulated to a total of 53 receiving yards, a figure not overly impressive but significant on a night where the Rams passed for only 148 yards. 

Despite the 34-17 loss to the Raiders, Allen emerged as a bright spot for the Rams, leading the team in both receptions and yards. The head coach of the Rams, Sean McVay, was quick to praise Allen's performance.

"I was really pleased with him. I thought he did a nice job," McVay remarked after the game. "Everybody's going to see that he was targeted eight times and makes eight catches. I thought he did a nice job being able to run some tough, hard-earned yards, especially when catching some underneath throws and being able to fall forward."

McVay also highlighted Allen's versatility and his ability to contribute even without the ball. "He competed well without the ball. So, you can see he's got a big catch radius-- good soft hands. It was an awesome debut for him."

The road to this debut had not been without its challenges for Allen. Having come to Clemson initially as a blocking tight end, he transformed himself into a reliable offensive weapon. Over the past two seasons, he led all tight ends in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. In the 2022 season, he earned a spot on the All-ACC Third Team with 39 receptions for 443 yards and five touchdowns. His receptions (39) and yards (443) were both third on the team and the five touchdowns were tied for the team lead with wide receiver Beaux Collins. 

For Allen, the feeling of finally playing in an NFL game was nothing short of exhilarating. "It felt great," Allen expressed to TheRams.com. "I was so happy. I was telling my wife and my parents today, like, thank God, you know? I don't feel like I'm just in the back. I feel like I can contribute in some way."

He candidly shared the frustration of being unable to showcase his abilities earlier due to the injury, saying, "I had a lot of frustration these past 3 or 4 weeks, and as a rookie, you want to prove yourself. It felt good to let my frustration go a little bit, cut it loose, and try to have as much fun as I could."

The Rams' only offensive touchdown of the game was a 4-yard run by former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett, a 2022 Heisman finalist and 2023 fourth-round pick (128th). The 75-yard drive was spearheaded by Bennett, with significant contributions from Allen, who caught passes of 5, 4, and 7 yards. Bennett was gracious in his praise of Allen's performance, calling him "outstanding" and commending his physicality and ability for making difficult catches.

"I thought he played outstanding," Bennett said of the 6’6, 250-pound Calhoun, GA native, who has a 38.5-inch vertical [leap]. "Physical. Tough. He made some good catches on some tough balls to catch. He's big-bodied. He's [a] friendly [target]. I thought it was cool."

With the competition for a spot on the 53-man roster intensifying, Allen's remarkable debut has undoubtedly put him on the radar as a player to watch. While seasoned tight ends Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins seem secure in their positions, Allen's versatility and dependable hands could earn him a role in the Rams' offense. 

Allen will have one last opportunity to impress the coaches on Aug.26 on the road against Denver before the rosters are trimmed down on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.

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