Irish Getting Chance To Impress Top 2020 Kentucky Talent

2020 Kentucky standout Jaylyn Allen‍ will be in South Bend this weekend to watch Notre Dame take on Wake Forest. Paintsville High School assistant coach Jason Kinner believes Allen could be one of the best to ever come through his school and maybe the state.

Paintsville has been known to produce FBS talent in recent years, including Allen’s older brother Tyrese who is a 2018 defensive tackle currently committed to West Virginia, but the 6-foot-1 220-pounder has the potential to be ever more highly-regarded.

“Jaylyn is a freak,” Kinner said. “We produced four D-I full-ride kids back-to-back, including Army All American/Kentucky Mr. Football Kash Daniel. If Jaylyn works to his potential, he could be one of best we have ever had at Paintsville. His ceiling as a player is incredible.”

The 2020 prospect holds a couple early offers from Morehead State and Tennessee Tech. He’s being recruited as a linebacker, but because of his pure talent and skill he has been versatile for his high school team.

“I think he is an outside linebacker,” Kinner said. “He plays some running back for us, and is really growing into that role. I think he could fill a bunch of voids for a school.

“We use him some at tight end, he has great hands. I could also see him at defensive end depending on how he develops. His older brother, Tyrese, is one of, if not the, best players in Kentucky. There isn’t another kid in Kentucky I’d trade either Allen for. In spring ball no one wanted to hit Jaylyn, he is really physical for a young guy.”

Although Allen’s older brother is headed to West Virginia, Kinner says he’s no lock to follow. He has bigger goals and wants to achieve something that no other kid from his hometown ever has.

“Jaylyn will do his own thing,” the coach said. “He has said that since before Tyrese blew up. Most expect him to follow Ty to West Virginia, I would be surprised if he did. He has a big interest in the traditional powers USC, Notre Dame, Michigan.

“Notre Dame USC got on him first with game invites and follows, which made it kind of crazy him being a 2020 kid. I think Jaylyn can see himself at ND, USC. He has big goals. He wants to do something no other Eastern Kentucky kid has done like going to one of those schools. I couldn’t tell you the last Eastern Kentucky kid with this kind of interest at this young of an age.”

Allen will be looking to start building some relationships during his visit to South Bend this weekend.

“Jaylyn is a great kid, he is a very personable kid,” his coach said. “Going far away is always something he has said he is going to do, but that being the case he is going to need a position coach he can lean on.”

Along with his talent and measurables, Allen separates himself with his personality and attitude off the field.

“He is the life of the room,” Kinner explained. “He is a great kid that other kids like being around. I’ve never seen this many big schools on a kid this early. His offer situation will be insane this spring.”