Former Tulare Union star, UCLA standout Kazmeir Allen declares for NFL draft

Vongni Yang, Visalia Times-Delta
·2 min read
Nov 5, 2022; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kazmeir Allen (19) runs for a touchdown past Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Jordan Clark (1) in the second half at Sun Devil Stadium.
Nov 5, 2022; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kazmeir Allen (19) runs for a touchdown past Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Jordan Clark (1) in the second half at Sun Devil Stadium.

Former Tulare Union High School record-setting running back Kazmeir Allen has planned his next move.

Allen, a receiver/running back at UCLA this season, announced via Twitter on Dec. 23 that he is forgoing his final college season of eligibility and is declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Allen, who won a CIF state track and field medal in the 100-meter dash as a senior in high school at 10.44 seconds, is coming off his most productive college football season, statistically speaking. The 2018 Tulare Union graduate rushed for 203 yards and caught 49 passes for 403 yards while scoring four total touchdowns during his redshirt junior campaign.

"I've been blessed beyond words to live out my childhood dream and play college football at UCLA," Allen posted on Twitter. "I first want to thank my family for the endless support you've given me. The love and sacrifices keep me going every day, and I appreciate you guys."

As a senior at Tulare Union in 2017, Allen set the single-season national high school touchdown record with 72 touchdowns.

That led to his recruitment by UCLA coach Chip Kelly.

Allen spent five seasons with the Bruins, culminating his career with 550 yards rushing and 762 yards receiving. He scored 12 total touchdowns in 38 appearances.

Allen (5-9, 175) was also a standout kickoff returner, averaging 27 yards per return during his five-year run in Westwood.

"I'm thankful for UCLA, the coaches, my brothers, and the experience I had here," Allen said. "I want to thank Coach Kelly for believing in a young kid from Tulare, California."

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held on April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Under longtime Tulare Union head coach Darren Bennett, the Tribe have had four former players reach the NFL level and play in a regular-season game:

  • Linebacker Zac Diles

  • Tight end Virgil Green

  • Offensive tackle Bryce Harris

  • Receiver Marquess Wilson

Green won a Super Bowl ring with the Denver Broncos in 2016.

Wilson was the last former Tulare Union football player to be drafted by an NFL team. He was a seventh-round pick out of Washington State by the Chicago Bears in 2013.

As Tulare County's most outstanding football player, Allen was the Times-Delta/Advance-Register's Bob Mathias Award winner in 2017.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Former Tulare Union star Kazmeir Allen declares for NFL draft