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Houston Cougars: What Will New Recruit Kyle Allen Mean?

By Brian K. Patterson

Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s a great time to be a fan of the Houston Cougars!

The program is on the cusp of the beginning of a renaissance to which the likes the program hasn’t seen in decades.

A new coaching staff, talented players, heavy booster funding and a brand-new stadium are the drivers behind the rise of the Coogs.

But don’t get me wrong, when Kevin Kolb and Case Keenum were under center, it was also a great time for the program but I see something different, something that’s going to catapult this football program into a household name.

Time and again, when I talk with individuals that are not natives of Houston, they tend to forget about the University of Houston and the strong athletic programs that they provide.

I used to hear things like “U-of-H has a football team?”

Although I thought they were joking at first, when there was no chuckle, I began to shake my head in personal denial that this football program was overlooked for so long.

University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Baylor University are all renowned programs in strong conferences so sports fans know who they are but there’s UH having the existence of some bastard stepchild.

But no longer…

The success that this program has had this season has caused to make leaps and bounds into the utmost of relevance — the winning of the Peach Bowl and how they were able to pick apart a very-talented Florida State football team goes to show that the best is yet to come.

Tom Herman is the fuel for all of this success and it’s starting to turn some heads in the direction of H-Town.

Not only turn but sway one’s belief and mindset.

What the hell am I talking about?

I’m talking about

Texas A&M

University of Houston quarterback Kyle Allen.

According to the Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte, Allen, highly-regarded as one of the top QB prospects in the nation, will be transferring to the University of Houston.

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This is certainly glorious news for UH football as were are able to obtain one of the best and brightest to have a strong sense of continuity at the QB position for the next few seasons.

It was clearly obvious that Allen was disgruntled with the system that was being run at A&M and he did get benched after the team floundered after a strong 5-0 start.

Kyler Murray, his replacement, transferred to Oklahoma so I’m not sure what the heck is going at College Station.

These talented quarterbacks are not buying what Kevin Sumlin is selling and think I know why.

I’m sure he thoroughly misses Kliff Kingsbury — those two worked well together but we all knew Kliff was destined to get his own head coaching job and has now been a long fixture for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Nonetheless, I’m glad he’s here and he’ll be a boon for the program.

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He’s the type of kid that was just born to be a quarterback — solid build, superior arm strength, knows when to make the right throws and where, says the right things when in front of a mic, a superior student and always ready and willing to learn.

You could almost say that he and Herman are match made in heaven as Herman recruited him hard while he was serving as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Herman finally gets his man and here’s what he told the Houston Chronicle:

"“Kyle understands he has a lot of room for improvement, and his goal is to be the best quarterback and best player in college football,” Herman said. “He feels myself and coach [Major] Applewhite and our offense can help him do it.”"

So what made Allen make his decision so promptly?

It was the immense success of the program this season; and ultimately, it’s 38-24 win in the Peach Bowl that compelled him to sign on the dotted line.

Here’s what Allen told reporters in a joint phone interview with the Houston Chronicle and FOX 26 (KRIV):

"“I think last season was huge for Houston,” Allen said. “I think it really opened a lot of eyes, including mine, to the power of Houston and just how good they actually were.”"

And he’s right.

This season’s finish was far from a fluke and I think Allen is going to do great things for this program.

He’ll have to sit out this upcoming season because of NCAA eligibility requirements but he’ll be ready to go in 2017 (with two years of eligibility left!).

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But first and foremost, I’m not done with the Greg Ward-era, which still has a lot of shelf life (one more season left) as he’s going into his senior year.

A lot of this team’s success rest on his shoulders and I’m forever grateful for what he has done thus far.

There’s no reason why he won’t repeat the type of season he had as he shattered many school records with his legs and his arm.

But Allen will likely be his successor, waiting in the wings to take over the reigns.

Allen passed for 2,210 yards and threw 17 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 10 games for A&M in 2015.

Go Coogs!

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