Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Zach Allen

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

Zach Allen is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Denver Broncos in the NFL. He played college football at Boston College. Allen is a defensive player in American Football.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Freshman Season

In 2015, as a freshman, Zach Allen played in all 12 games, mainly on special teams, participating in 66 special teams plays and 46 defensive end plays. He recorded an assisted tackle in the season opener against Maine and a solo tackle against Howard.

2016: Sophomore Season

In 2016, Allen played in 13 games, including the Quick Lane Bowl, where he recorded a single-game career high of 2 sacks. He finished the year with 36 tackles, including 6 sacks, 4 passes deflected, and 2 fumble recoveries.

2016: Achievements during Sophomore Year

In 2016, Allen played in 13 games, recording 36 tackles, including 6.0 sacks. He also deflected 4 passes and had 2 fumble recoveries.

2017: Promotion to Starting Defensive End

In 2017, Zach Allen became a full-time starting defensive end, starting in all 13 games, including the Pinstripe Bowl. He had a career year with 47 solo tackles and 53 assists, with 15.5 tackles for loss. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive lineman of the week after posting 14 tackles against Virginia Tech. Allen also won the Bulger Love Award after the season. His sack production dropped to 4.0, 2.0 fewer than the 6.0 he recorded in 2016.

2018: Decision to Return for Senior Year

In 2017 there was speculation that Allen would declare for the 2018 NFL draft after his junior season, but he later announced that he would return to school for his senior year.

2018: Senior Season

In 2018, Zach Allen played in all 12 regular season games, recording 26 solo tackles, 35 assists, and 15.0 tackles for loss. He had a career-high of 6.5 sacks and tallied 1 interception, deflected 7 passes, and had 2 fumble recoveries, along with his first career forced fumble.

November 13, 2019: Placed on Injured Reserve

On November 13, 2019, after playing in the first four games of the season and suffering a neck injury in Week 4, Zach Allen was placed on injured reserve by the Arizona Cardinals.

October 27, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve

On October 27, 2020, Zach Allen was placed on injured reserve.

November 28, 2020: Activated from Injured Reserve

On November 28, 2020, Zach Allen was activated from injured reserve.

2021: Starting Defensive End

In 2021, Zach Allen played as a starting defensive end, appearing in 15 games with 14 starts, recording 48 tackles, four sacks, and three fumble recoveries.