Allison Decides on Future

James Allison was recruited by several MAC schools to go along with West Virginia and Michigan State coming out of Lima Senior High School in 2006. Now at North Dakota State College of Science, does the safety still have interest from Toledo?

JUCO safety James Allison went to high school at Lima Senior in Lima, OH. Two years ago he was being recruited by several MAC schools along with West Virginia and Michigan State. However, he was not able to get qualified and ended up at North Dakota State College of Science, a junior college in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

Allison played his natural position of strong safety in 2006 at NDSCS, but was moved to free safety in necessity last season. With a 6-3 and 200 pound frame, was Allison able to drum up an offer from Toledo?

Despite interest some time ago, Toledo had not been in the picture for a while. "As far as I know Toledo has not been actively recruiting him," NDSCS Head Coach Chuck Parsons told Rocket Digest.

Coach Parsons is surprised that James did not get the same kind of recruiting attention that he got out of high school. "I thought James has the talent to be a Division I-A type player, but I think some schools were not certain what position he would play best," said Coach Parsons.

James Allison has decided on a school, despite not getting as much interest as he would have liked. "He has committed to the University of Northern Iowa," Coach Parsons told Rocket Digest. "He took an official visit in early December and was offered and accepted," added Parsons.

Northern Iowa is getting a very good player that can play either safety or outside linebacker. James also has 4.50 speed. "His strengths are his field awareness and understanding of the game," said Coach Parsons. "He reads and reacts as quickly as any safety I've coached," he added.

Parsons concluded, "above all else, he has matured greatly in his time here and is a great young man."

James Allison is the fourth member of the NDSCS football team to commit to a Division I school. DE Jarrett Crittenton committed to Clemson, OL Ricky Henry committed to Nebraska, and WR Jason Carlson committed to Iowa State.