Allen gets in another visit

The nation's fifth-rated fullback slipped into his new role of recruiter in an effort to help his new school build on its already No. 1 ranking.

Just how successful or convincing Dominique Allen of Paris High in Henry County, Tenn. was remains to be seen but the 5-foot-11, 250-pounder was more than happy to lend a hand with LSU hosting a star-studded group of prospects more than a week away from signing day.

"I just wanted to be around some of these great athletes like (Pensacola-Escambia's) Trent Richardson and (Bastrop's) Rueben Randle," Allen said. "I wanted to get around them and persuade them."

If anything Allen's appearance should have been a sign to those around him about the strength of his existing commitment to LSU considering Allen took an unofficial visit to Baton Rouge, complete with round trip air fare. That Allen expended his official visit for the LSU-Georgia game in October and his commitment to the Tigers is more than two months old mattered little, only the opportunity to serve as a team player for his new team.

Allen is a direct disciple of the Russell Shepard school of prospect on prospect recruiting and tried melding those talents with those of the LSU coaching staff to try and close out the remaining spots on this year's recruiting class.

"I basically was around the players more than anything," Allen said. "I had met Trent before but not Rueben. That was the first time to meet him. He's real down to earth."

And to what degree of influence did Allen believe he had on either Richardson or Randle?

"I think I had some success," Allen said. "They really enjoyed their visit. I believed everybody loved it."

Allen concluded his prep career in December with more than 4,700 yards rushing and 80 touchdowns for Henry County which reached its third straight Class 4A state semifinal. The school will be the site of Allen's signing day gathering that can't arrive soon enough.

"We're going to have a little party, that will be about it," Allen said. "Each day it gets closer I feel a little bit more excitement each day."