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he makes. He's 5-foot-nothing. What he lacks in height, Adrian. he gains in heart. He's not scared of anything or anyAnd that "has to be" the NFL. body. He doesn't care who you are. He's coming to come "That's my dream," Allen said. "It's not the end of my hit you. He's going to come defend. He's going to be success because the end of my success may be being aggressive with you. one of the best coaches ever. But I have to make it to the "He's a different kind. He's special." NFL. That's what I work for every day. But is he special enough in the eyes of those who "I don't wake up at 6 o'clock and work my butt off to control his future — the NFL scouts and general man- not be considered one of the best. I don't put my blood, agers? sweat and tears into this game not to be called the Smith, whom Allen calls his "brother" now, thinks so. best." j So does Green, saying "Ricardo's got all kind of talent and skills." Not that the NFL is her final-destination dream for her son. "If this is all he does, I am proud of him," she said. But then she quickly added, "But he has his own standards. He doesn't talk about it too much. He's one of The Best those people who keeps it within un- Purdue Sports til he reaches his level, his goals. He Information said he's going to play football, and On The Web he played high school, college and he said he's going to play pro. So he's just taking it step by step and just going. "He's just one of the kids that you're like, 'Wow.' The only thing you can say is 'Wow.' " But Allen has only one way he defines success for himself. He doesn't consider himself successful for being the first in his fam•Real-time recruiting ily to graduate high school. He can't consider himself suc•Game stories, Sign up for cessful for being the lone member analysis and blogs a 7-day free remaining out a 16-member class •Premium message boards that committed to play Division I trial today! from his high school. •Video, audio, live stream He won't consider himself a sucevents and more cess for being the first in his family to graduate college, something he's •Exclusive access to premium on track to do. information The only way Allen can deem himNote: GoldandBlack.com is a separate self successful is fulfilling the void Part of the Rivals.com network subscription than your subscription to Gold & Black Illustrated/GBI EXPRESS. of promise he thinks he stole from It's All On GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 53