Keenan Allen

Regarded by many as the elite prep wide receiver and safety prospect in the country out of North Carolina, Allen was heavily pursued by most of the big programs. He even signed a letter of intent with Alabama before joining his half-brother, quarterback Zach Maynard, and signing with then-Cal coach Jeff Tedford. Allen quickly proved worth the hype, earning all-conference and All-American accolades from some publications and breaking Philadelphia Eagles star DeSean Jackson's freshman records for receptions (46) and receiving yards (490) and leading the team with five touchdown catches. With defenses zeroed in on him in 2011, Allen took his game to another level, snaring 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six scores to earn first-team All-Pac-12 notice. He went down with a knee injury Oct. 27 but had 61 receptions for 737 yards and six touchdowns. Allen has the physical characteristics to be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but few prospects struggled through a more difficult pre-draft period than Allen. The left knee injury that kept him out of the final three games last season has lingered. Allen attempted to work out for scouts in mid-April, but the muscles around the knee weren't fully recovered and he ran a disappointing 4.71 and 4.75 in the 40-yard dash. That was followed a week later by reports that Allen's drug test at the combine was "red-flagged" and he was ordered to take another test - the results of which weren't known. Allen, 6-feet-2 and 206 pounds, left as Cal's career receptions leader despite playing fewer than three full seasons. He is expected to run faster once the muscles around the knee are stronger. He has no other known previous off-field issues.

strengths

Has a long, tapered build with prototypical height for the position. Very good all-around athlete. Good initial quickness, balance and lateral agility. Is a smooth accelerator with sneaky build-up speed. Natural big-play threat who isn't afraid of contact and has very good vision and patience to set up blocks.

compares to

Jordy Nelson, Packers -- Allen is very similar in that he possesses just enough straight-line speed to beat defenders on the outside. He wins with the size, toughness and sure hands to attack over the middle.

lacks elite straight-line speed. is quicker and more agile than his size would indicate. doesn't have elite elusiveness and occasionally drops catchable passes in traffic when he heads upfield without the ball.

Missed the final three games of the 2012 season with a left knee injury that sidelined him for the Scouting Combine. Teams will also be very interested in the results of a second drug test at the combine after Allen's first test was reportedly "red-flagged."

rarely allows passes to get past his hands and into his chest. typically snatches passes out of the air, showing very good hand-eye coordination and a wide catching radius due to his length, flexibility and big hands. tracks the ball easily over the shoulder. experienced route-runner with extensive experience lining up outside and in the slot. can slip press coverage. competitive, attentive downfield blocker.

WEAKNESSES

A five-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals and Scout

named to the Parade All-American squad

ranked No. 5 in the country on the Rivals250 list, while checking in as both the nation's top safety and best overall player from North Carolina

the country's No. 5 "athlete" and No. 33 player overall according to ESPN

listed as the nation's No. 70 player overall by Sporting News

played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl, returning one punt for 33 yards as well as one kickoff also for 33 yards

listed as the No. 8 player overall by MaxPreps, which also showered him with first-team All-American honors

had a huge season statistically as a senior with 145 tackles and eight interceptions on defense to go along with an astounding 53 offensive touchdowns to help his school win its first 3A Mid-State Conference championship and finish with a 12-2 overall record

picked off nine passes to go along with 15 pass breakups, 64 tackles and three forced fumbles to earn All-State honors defensively as a junior, while adding 42 receptions for 880 yards and 14 touchdown catches, as well as 644 rushing yards and 12 TDs on the ground on only 39 carries on the offensive side of the ball

transferred to Northern Guilford High School for his final two seasons after playing his first two prep campaigns at Grimsley High School, where he played for two seasons with his brother and current Cal quarterback Zach Maynard

called "the type of athlete who should make a major impact as a true freshman" by Tom Lemming, while ESPN says "this guy is a really good football player."

Full name is Keenan Alexander Allen

born April 27, 1992

parents are stepfather Scott Lang and mother Doris Maynard

brother of Cal quarterback Zach Maynard, who transferred from Buffalo to Cal and is in his first season as the Bears' starter in 2011

prep teammate of Chris fellow Golden Bears Maurice Harris and cousin Chris McCain

major is undeclared.