South Carolina football: Most underrated players of the decade

Antonio Allen #26 of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Antonio Allen #26 of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Antonio Allen #26 of the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

NO. 2 ANTONIO ALLEN

Allen played in the Gamecocks’ spur position from 2008-2011.  He’d earn a starting role in the 2010 season that saw South Carolina upset top-ranked Alabama on their way to the SEC championship.

Over his junior and senior seasons, Allen tallied 156 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and three touchdowns.  Playing as a hybrid defensive back that would often line up as a linebacker, Allen was the glue that held the Carolina defense together.  Often times, though, he was overshadowed on a unit that had three first-round talents.

In his final season, Allen led the Gamecock defense in tackles while putting together one of the best defensive seasons in recent Carolina history.