Josh Allen’s Journey from Unheralded Prospect to NFL MVP Candidate

Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback who finished second in the 2020 NFL MVP voting, has come a long way from his days as an unheralded high school prospect. Allen’s journey from Firebaugh High School in California to junior college, then to the University of Wyoming, and finally to the NFL is a testament to his resilience and raw talent.

Allen’s high school career at Firebaugh was impressive, with over 5,200 passing yards and 63 total touchdowns. However, his 54% completion rate and lack of polish kept him off the radar of major college programs. He enrolled at Reedley Community College, where he led the team in both passing and rushing yards, but his accuracy remained a concern, completing just 49% of his passes.

Despite these challenges, Allen’s potential caught the attention of Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl, who saw a quarterback with the arm strength and athleticism to thrive in a pro-style offense. At Wyoming, Allen’s career was marked by flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency. In his junior year, he threw for 3,203 yards and 28 touchdowns, but his completion percentage hovered around 56%.

Allen’s senior season was cut short by injury, but he still managed to throw for 1,812 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games. His performance in key games, such as a five-touchdown outing against Utah State and a career-high 334 passing yards against UNLV, showcased his dual-threat ability and big-play potential.

Despite his raw stats, Allen’s physical tools and competitive spirit made him a polarizing prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft. Analysts like ESPN‘s Mel Kiper Jr. praised his arm talent and competitiveness, while others compared him to past draft busts. The Buffalo Bills took a chance on Allen with the No. 7 overall pick, and after a rocky start, he has developed into one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks.

Since his breakout 2020 season, Allen has consistently improved, posting a career-high 69.2% completion rate and leading the Bills to multiple playoff appearances. His ability to cut down on turnovers while maintaining his gunslinger mentality has made him a perennial MVP candidate and a cornerstone of the Bills’ franchise.