Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Keenan Allen

Discover the career path of Keenan Allen, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Keenan Allen is an American professional football wide receiver currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Known for his route-running and reliable hands, Allen quickly became a key player in the Chargers' offense.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Highest drafted WR from Cal since Jackson

In the 2013 NFL draft, Keenan Allen was the highest selected wide receiver from Cal since DeSean Jackson in 2008.

2009: High School All-American Selection

In 2009, Keenan Allen was selected as a high school All-American by USA Today and Parade. He also participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

2010: Freshman Season at UC Berkeley

During the 2010 season, as a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, Keenan Allen had 46 receptions for 490 yards and five touchdowns.

2010: State Qualifier in Long Jump

In 2010, Keenan Allen competed in track & field, becoming a state qualifier in the long jump with a top jump of 7.01 meters. He also competed in sprints, recording a personal-best time of 11.2 seconds in the 100-meter dash.

2011: Sophomore Season at UC Berkeley

During the 2011 season, Keenan Allen had a career-high 98 catches for 1,343 yards as a sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley.

2011: Prolific game against USC

In 2011, Tom Telesco attended Cal's game against USC at AT&T Park, where Keenan Allen had one of his most prolific days, catching a career-best 13 passes for 160 yards.

2012: PCL Sprain and Pro Day

Due to a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sprain sustained during the 2012 season, Keenan Allen did not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he did run routes at Cal's Pro Day.

2012: Junior Season at UC Berkeley

During the 2012 season, Keenan Allen, as a junior, recorded 61 receptions for 737 yards and six touchdowns, leaving Cal with a school-record 205 passes.

April 9, 2013: Allen Attends Pro Day

On April 9, 2013, Keenan Allen attended his own pro day, showcasing his skills to scouts and reporters. Due to an injury, he ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash, impacting his draft position.

May 9, 2013: Signs with Chargers

On May 9, 2013, Keenan Allen signed a four-year, $2.81 million contract with the Chargers, including a $613,800 signing bonus.

October 6, 2013: First 100-Yard Game in NFL

On October 6, 2013, Keenan Allen had his first 100-yard game as an NFL receiver against the Oakland Raiders, with six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

2013: Record-Breaking Rookie Season

In 2013, Keenan Allen led all NFL rookies with 71 receptions and led the Chargers with 1,046 receiving yards, breaking the Chargers rookie record set by John Jefferson in 1978. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year by Sporting News and Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association.

2013: Drafted by the San Diego Chargers

In 2013, Keenan Allen was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the NFL draft after playing college football for the California Golden Bears.

2013: NFL Draft Outlook

In 2013, draft pundits described Keenan Allen as one of the best receivers in the NFL draft, estimating that he would be picked in the latter half of the first round.

2014: Career-High and Injury

In 2014, Keenan Allen had a career-high 10 receptions for 135 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He missed the last two games of the season due to a broken collarbone.

2015: Kidney Injury

In 2015, Keenan Allen suffered a kidney injury, causing him to miss the rest of the season. He finished with 67 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns.

2015: Longest game without 100 yards receiving

In Week 2 of 2017, Keenan Allen had nine receptions for 100 yards, marking his 13th career game with at least 100 yards and the first such since Week 6 of the 2015 season.

June 10, 2016: Contract Extension and ACL Tear

On June 10, 2016, Keenan Allen agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the Chargers. In the season opener, he suffered an ACL tear and missed the rest of the season.

September 11, 2017: Return from Injury

On September 11, 2017, Keenan Allen returned from his injury in the season opener against the Broncos, recording five receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown.

December 19, 2017: First Pro Bowl Selection

On December 19, 2017, Keenan Allen was named to his first Pro Bowl.

2017: Named NFL Comeback Player of the Year

In 2017, Keenan Allen was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after setting Chargers' records for receptions and receiving yards by a rookie.

2018: Successful 2018 Season

In 2018, Keenan Allen recorded 97 receptions for 1,196 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. He had a 14-catch, 148-yard game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

September 5, 2020: Signs Contract Extension

On September 5, 2020, Keenan Allen signed a four-year, $80.1 million contract extension with the Chargers.

2020: Franchise Record for Catches

In 2020, Keenan Allen finished the season with a franchise-record 104 catches for 1,199 yards and six touchdowns. He earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl nomination and was ranked 77th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.

January 7, 2021: Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List

On January 7, 2021, Keenan Allen was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

2021: 2021 Season Performance

In the 2021 season, Keenan Allen recorded 106 receptions for 1,128 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, earning his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In the 2022 season, Keenan Allen had 66 receptions for 752 yards and four touchdowns, including two games with over 100 receiving yards.

2023: Record Breaking Season

In 2023, Keenan Allen finished with 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. He also became the first player in NFL history to record at least 15 receptions and throw a passing touchdown in the same game. He earned his sixth Pro Bowl nomination.