All 90 is a Pittsburgh Steelers Now series profiling each of the 90 members of the Steelers 2021 offseason roster.
27 • Marcus Allen, third-year inside linebacker
6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Acquired: Drafted with the 148th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. … Signed a one-year contract for 2021 on March 9 as an exclusive-rights free agent.
Last season: Moved from safety to inside linebacker and saw the most extensive playing time in his career by far thanks to injuries to Devin Bush, Ulysees Gilbert III and Robert Spillane.
Allen played in 14 games, made his first two career starts and recorded 30 tackles, two for a loss and two quarterback hits.
Allen played in just three games in his first two pro seasons. He spent most of 2019 on the practice squad.
College: Finished career fifth all-time in Penn State’s record book with 321 tackles. Named Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP, third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten as a senior.
Camp outlook: The opportunities that were granted to Allen due to injury in 2020 likely won’t happen again, and he enters the 2021 season solidly behind Vince Williams, Bush and Spillane on the depth chart.
In addition to battling Gilbert, fourth-round rookie Buddy Johnson has been added to the mix at inside linebacker, as well, leaving six players for four or five spots.
Allen will have to leverage his experience gained, versatility and special teams ability in order to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
Future: Will become a restricted free agent after the 2021 season.
The rest of the 90:
