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It’s no longer a secret that Devon Allen might be the most talented athlete on the University of Oregon campus right now. When he’s not hauling in touchdown passes on the field for the football team, he’s leaping over hurdles for the track & field team.
Of course, Allen is in Rio De Janeiro competing in the Olympics for Team USA in the 110 meter hurdles. And he’s not content simply being on the team, he’s aiming for a gold medal.
At the US Olympic track & field trials in Eugene in June, Allen won the 110 hurdles title with a time of 13.03 seconds, which would have been fast enough to earn a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Obviously, Allen’s future is bright in the sport of track & field, and nobody would blame him if he never stepped on a football field again in order to pursue a professional career in track. But that’s not Allen’s style.
Allen has said that his future goals, along with making the Olympics in track & field (check that box), include winning a Super Bowl.
But could Allen’s football career continue if he decided to turn pro in track & field. Yes, according to an Oregon compliance officer. There’s a couple tricky spots, but here’s how it could happen.
Just finished a meeting with Oregon compliance, who broke down a lot of questions about Devon Allen going pro. pic.twitter.com/k1HRzq5Cmg
— Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) August 8, 2016
Oregon compliance officer Jody Sykes said Devon Allen plans to investigate going pro in track while also remaining eligible for football.
— Ryan Thorburn (@rgduckfootball) August 8, 2016
So as long as he signs an agent for track only and not football and doesn't sign an endorsement deal, he could take prize money from the Olympics, turn pro in the sport, and return to Oregon football this season.
Once Allen is done in Rio, he’ll head back to Eugene and plan to get 10 practices in, returning to the field by September 10th at the absolute latest when Oregon faces Virginia.