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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/23/2020

Jay Allen: Three-Sport Star

Brett Greenberg     
Photo: Jay Allen (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, GA. – Most college coaches will say that playing multiple sports in high school is a good thing. Jay Allen, a rising high school senior, is the total package and everything a coach would want in an athlete to join his program. Allen is committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida and he is open to the idea of suiting up for the Florida football team as a quarterback. In addition to playing baseball and football, Allen plays for his high school basketball team, where he averaged 13.5 points per game during his junior year.

Jay is from Fort Pierce, Florida and attends John Carroll Catholic High School. Standing at 6’3 and weighing in at 195 pounds, his large frame with plenty of room for growth is the reason so many college coaches are raving about him. Allen is the number one ranked outfielder in Florida and is the thirteenth ranked player in the U.S. In football, Allen is the starting quarterback for his high school and just recently finished up competing in the Elite 11 Competition, a week-long event in which the best quarterbacks in the country are invited to showcase their talents to many scouts and coaches.



“I was kind of thrown off by my invite to the Elite 11,” said Allen. “After the week, I realized I am just as good as most of these guys and hopefully that will show some coaches what I am about.”

The recruitment process for Allen was a relatively short one as his family have been Gator fans and bleed orange and blue since he was a young boy. Allen summed it up by saying that Florida is his dream school and has been since he was a tyke. He was able to visit the campus in Gainesville, which is just a three-hour drive from his home, several times during his recruitment process. Allen acknowledged that the new baseball stadium was a factor as well as, Kevin O’Sullivan, the Gators head baseball coach, one of the best coaches in the country in preparing players for the major leagues.

“It was a no brainer,” said Allen. “The coaching staff, the campus, the academics, and the orange and blue, all of it. I just love it all.”

Playing three sports at a high level can present some difficulties and challenges with balancing each sport and paying attention to how you train for each. Allen has been able to get a routine down and knows which exercises to do for which sport. He says he usually will lift weights like a football player but will incorporate baseball stretches and other exercises to help with mobility in his football workout. Allen made it clear that he stays away from the bench press because he knows how bad it is for his shoulders, which can decrease production on the baseball field.

“Yea, man there are definitely some challenges along the way,” said Allen. “I have a trainer who helps me out and I thank him for that.”

Allen was not able to compete in his high school baseball season due to the Coronavirus pandemic but says he is grateful for the time off because he used it to clear his mind and get stronger. Allen says he was able to throw nearly every day at a facility close to his home.

“I was not able to have a baseball season at school which was horrible,” said Allen, “but I was able to go to a facility and work on my swing almost every day.”

Allen has two more weeks of summer ball before he starts football workouts in preparation for the upcoming season this fall. In the final stretch of the season, Allen is focusing on having fewer strikeouts and having overall better at bats.

“I have been really doing a better job of seeing the ball,” said Allen. “With my legs, I just need to hit the ball in play and force the defense to make a play.”

Allen mentioned that he looks up to Cam Newton for inspiration. He says he loves the way Cam carries himself after everything he has been through. He has been following Cam since his short stint at Florida, at junior college, at Auburn and now in the NFL.

“Cam is just a dog, man,” said Allen. “The way he always has fun, but works hard and has incredible work ethic, is something I look up to.”

When Allen is not training or in season, which is basically never given the fact he plays three sports, he plays video games. Allen says his favorite game is MLB the Show and his favorite part is the Diamond Dynasty game mode.

Jay Allen is the prototypical athlete and emulates what it means to be a hard worker in every facet of the game. Whether that be on the diamond, on the field, or on the court, Allen is always putting forth full effort while smiling from ear to ear.

Allen and his FTB/SF Giants Scout Team look to continue their winning ways in the bracket play portion of the 17U WWBA National Championship. We are looking forward to seeing him play in his Gator uniform(s)!
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