Inside look at new Wake commit Michael Allen

I've had the pleasure of covering Michael Allen's for three months now. I first talked to him in May when he received his offer from the USC Trojans.

Allen was at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia, and I was able to meet the young man in person there and watch him perform that weekend.

I haven't seen him in person as much as the great guys over at UGASports.com (Georgia Rivals website) have though. So, I talked with their recruiting analyst Jake Reuse to get his thoughts to get a fresh perspective on Allen's commitment to Wake Forest.

"I love the pickup of Michael Allen for the Demon Deacons for a number of reasons but, at the center of that, is his work on the field," Reuse said. "He's a true 6-foot-5 frame with tremendous awareness to make him a consistent threat in the defensive pass rush.

"He's a thinner guy at this time, as even his listed 220 pounds may be generous, but his body is ready made to be built up with collegiate strength and training. He looks like a guy who can carry 240 pounds with no problem, and, if he fills out while retaining his ample speed, he's got the potential to become a guy that ACC offensive coaches will have to account for.

"Until that happens, he will have a hard time competing with top offensive linemen in the league, but, he has a high drive, so I think he'll gladly do whatever he needs to in order to become a force."

Reuse has also been able to interact with Allen on a personal level, and he has high praise of the Deacs' new commit.

"From a personal standpoint, I try not to deal in hyperbole when it comes to recruits, but I think in the three cycles I've covered extensively, Michael Allen may be the sharpest prospect I've had the chance to speak with," said Reuse. "The match of Wake and Allen is a very natural one, as he prides himself as much on his academic successes as he does his on-field accolades, and both are quite notable.

"He's a high character player with a great support system, and that is evident when you interact with him. He's thoughtful in responses, kind and gracious in person, and has a generally sweet demeanor.

"Congratulations to the Demon Deacons on a pickup with great ceiling and higher character."