San Diego,CA- San Diego Chargers Rookie Wide-ReceiverKeenan Allenhas been named as one of the five nominees for Pepsi’s NEXT Rookie of the Year. Charger Fans can vote for Keenan Allen atnfl.com/rookies.
The other four candidates Allen is up against for Pepsi’s NEXT Rookie of the Year are Buffalo Bills LinebackerKiko Alonsowho had 159 total tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INTs this season, Cincinnati Bengals Running BackGiovani Bernardwho rushed for 695 yards and 5 TDs, Green Bay Packers Running BackEddie Lacywho rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 TDs on the season and Minnesota Vikings Wide ReceiverCordarrelle Pattersonwho set the Vikings team record for kickoff return yards (1,393) and had 4 receiving TDs, 3 rushing TDs and 2 kickoff-return TDs, the only player in NFL history to accomplish this feat.
Allen despite the great accomplishments of his fellow nominees, is the most deserving for the Pepsi’s NEXT Rookie of the Year award. Allen has been absolutely dynamic for the Chargers on offense this season and was a key reason why the Chargers were able to go 9-7 and make the AFC playoffs as the 6th seed.
Allen who the Chargers drafted in the 3rd round of last Aprils NFL draft, started the season as the Chargers 4th string Wide Receiver behindDanario Alexander,Vincent BrownandMalcom Floyd. That wouldn’t last for long though as when the Chargers lost Danario Alexander for the season to a torn ACL in the preseason and Malcom Floyd for the season with a neck injury in the Chargers’ Week 2 win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Allen then became the Chargers number two wide receiver and started the next 14 games for the Chargers and would soon become the favorite target for Chargers Pro Bowl QuarterbackPhilip Rivers.
Allen set the team record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in a season with 1,046 yards, surpassingJohn Jefferson’s record of 1,001 yards set in 1978. Allen also became the first rookie in the NFL since Cincinnati BengalsA.J. Greenin 2011 to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season. Allen also tiedEddie Royalfor the team lead with eight touchdown receptions on the year.
To give even more evidence why Allen should win the award, Allen was nominated for Pepsi’s NEXT Rookie of the Week four times and won the award all four times…..oh and by the way he’s also a pretty good singer as he showedAnnie Heilbrunn.
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