CLEVELAND — On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns signed linebacker Dakota Allen.
If that name sounds familiar, it's because Allen starred in the second season of the popular Netflix series "Last Chance U."
Premiering in 2016, "Last Chance U" initially chronicled East Mississippi Community College, one of the most successful junior college programs in the country. Among the players featured in the second season was Allen, who enjoyed a breakout season at EMCC in 2016, tallying 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six forced turnovers.
Following his standout season in Scooba, Mississippi, Allen went on to re-enroll at Texas Tech, where he had initially been dismissed after being charged with second-degree burglary along with two teammates. Upon returning to Lubbock, the Dallas, Texas, native emerged as one of the Red Raiders' top defenders, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2017 and first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018.
Following his senior season, Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. After being waived by the Rams following training camp, he signed with the Oakland Raiders before returning to the Rams' practice squad.
By the end of 2019, Allen had been signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who he played with through the 2021 season, primarily contributing on special teams. In 32 career games, including three starts, the 26-year-old has amassed 28 tackles (17 solo), three of which came for a loss and one forced fumble.
In coming to Cleveland, Allen joins a Browns linebackers room that currently includes Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II, Willie Harvey Jr. and Silas Kelly.