Allen first played college football for the Austin Peay Governors from 2020 to 2021.[1] The 2020 season was moved to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played in eight games, starting three, during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season and made 18 tackles. He appeared in all 11 games, starting 10, during the fall 2021 season, totaling 36 tackles, 5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, garnering HERO Sports Sophomore All-American and second-team All-OVC recognition.[1]
Allen transferred to play for the Tennessee State Tigers from 2022 to 2023.[2][1] He appeared in 10 games, all starts, in 2022, accumulating 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two pass breakups, earning first-team All-OVC honors. He played in all 11 games in 2023, recording 65 tackles (including 28 for loss), 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.[1] Allen led the FCS in both sacks and tackles-for-loss.[3][1] He was also named Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All Big South-OVC Defense.[4][1] He won the Buck Buchanan Award as the best FCS defensive player.[5][6]
