With 26 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2025, a look back at No. 26, Antonio Allen

South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in the 2025 season on August 31st when the Gamecocks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That means kickoff is just 26 days away.

One of the most underrated players in South Carolina history repped No. 26 during his Gamecock career. Versatile defender Antonio Allen, a player who saw most of his action at the “spur” position, playing a hybrid safety/linebacker/nickel role, wore the number, and he was a stud in garnet and black.

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Picking the Gamecocks over Clemson, Colorado, Nebraska, Allen joined the South Carolina football program as an underrated player in an elite 2007 signing class that included “bigger” names like Stephen Garcia, Cliff Matthews, Chris Culliver, Travian Robertson, Brian Maddox, Melvin Ingram, and Clifton Geathers. Though some of those Gamecocks went on to great careers, Allen has an argument as the best of the bunch. He spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy between his initial commitment and signing with USC.

Allen played behind Gamecock greats like Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart as a freshman. However, he earned a starting gig as a sophomore in 2009. By the time his junior and senior seasons came around in 2010 and 2011, Allen was part of one of the best secondaries to ever play in Columbia. Alongside safeties DJ Swearinger and DeVonte Holloman and cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Akeem Auguste, Allen made back-to-back All-SEC teams.

It was Allen’s 2011 season that is most remembered. An All-American campaign began with No. 26 scoring touchdowns (one on a fumble recovery and the other on an interception) in big wins over East Carolina and Georgia. Then, the defensive playmaker became one of the most statistically impressive players in the country. Allen finished the 2011 season first on the team in tackles (88) after reaching double-digits four times. He was also second on the team with three interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Allen was the only player in the SEC to finish in the conference’s top 10 in tackles, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns.

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Allen remains one of the best defensive players in recent South Carolina history. Though his 2011 touchdowns caught headlines, Gamecock fans most remember his 2010 pick-six against Clemson. The third-quarter interception put the game away and sent Tiger fans home early.

Following his graduation, Allen earned selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Showcasing his elite athletic versatility, he played both corner and safety at the professional level. Surprising no one, he registered a pick-six with the New York Jets in his first year as a starter. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles effectively ended his playing days just five years into his pro career.

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