Kentucky football linebacker Josh Allen returning to UK for senior season, not entering NFL draft

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen is returning to school for his senior season.

Allen had been mentioned as a possible first-round draft pick by multiple NFL reports during the season, but after a quiet second half he has elected to return to Kentucky. He made the announcement on Twitter Monday night.

"Coming back for another year will be the best way for me to grow physically and mentally and prepare for my ultimate goal of playing in the NFL," Allen wrote in a note posted to Twitter. "This coming year will be special for the University of Kentucky football team because we have a plan, not only to win the East, but to win the SEC! Let's finish what we started."

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Scouting-based website ProFootballFocus.com ranked Allen as the No. 5 edge rusher prospect for the 2018 draft class in its midseason evaluation, but Allen recorded 6.5 of his seven sacks this season in the first six games.

As a junior, Allen ranked eighth in the Southeastern Conference in sacks. He led UK in sacks and tackles for loss (9.5) while ranking fourth on the team in total tackles (65).

It is likely UK coach Mark Stoops provided the example of former Wildcat Bud Dupree when discussing Allen's decision.

Dupree, an outside linebacker in UK's 3-4 defense like Allen, returned for his senior season at UK in 2014, gained more than 12 pounds and totaled 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks as a senior to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the Associated Press. The Pittsburgh Steelers then selected Dupree in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.

"Excited to get Josh Allen back for his senior season," Stoops tweeted Monday. "Great teams are built on senior leaders and playmakers!"

Jon Hale: jahale@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @JonHale_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jonh.