Illinois Football 2019 NFL Draft Profile: Nick Allegretti

Nick Allegretti

Offensive lineman

Height: 6 foot 4 inches

Weight: 310 pounds

Hometown: Frankfort, Illinois

High School: Lincoln-Way East

Profile

Allegretti was a 2013 U.S. All-American. Ranked in the top 10 as an interior offensive lineman, and the 19th ranked player in the state of Illinois.

Allegretti redshirted in 2014. In 2015, he became a mainstay along the offensive line for Illinois. His two highest-rated seasons (according to Power Football Focus) were his junior and senior seasons. Rated the No. 3 guard in the nation, and the No. 2 o-lineman in the Big Ten his senior year. He started 36 straight games to end his career at Illinois.

Testing numbers haven't been released yet, but he did post a personal record of 29.5 inches in the vertical jump at Illinois' Pro Day.

This is one of the best offensive linemen Illinois has ever had, paving the way for an offense that ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing yards in 2018, averaging almost 250 yards per game.

It's not just his style that suits an NFL roster, though. He's a smart kid, a four-time All-Academic Big Ten. All indications are he's a great teammate, and has a great demeanor for on and off the field. He'd be an excellent locker room guy. He's had to endure a lot at Illinois as well. Two coaching changes, position coach changes, losing season after losing season. And yet, he is the kind of player who puts in the work and won't let success or failure alter his approach.

He's also the kind of player who seems to do well with the press and interviews. Very even keeled.

Draft Round: probably 6-7 or undrafted.

Unfortunately, the NFL does not covet interior lineman (although that might be changing with recent drafts, and the success of such players). However, there's no doubt in my mind an NFL roster will take a chance on Nick Allegretti. He could have a very similar career to another former Illini, Ted Karras.

Karras, a two-time Super Bowl champion for the New England Patriots, was a sixth-round pick in 2016 who has carved out a niche for himself as a backup lineman for an excellent team. He's filled in admirably at guard and center, and has been used as the sixth offensive lineman for New England.

I wouldn't expect Allegretti to be a star in the mold of Quentin Nelson from Indianapolis, but if he puts in the work, he could end up with a solid NFL career like Jeff Allen or David Diehl.

Lots of teams need those interior depth pieces along their o-line. One team. That's all it takes.

Personally, I've never rooted harder for a kid to get drafted. Allegretti is everything you want from a scholarship athlete.

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