Cal WR Keenan Allen Will Enter 2013 NFL Draft

Oct 22, 2011; San Francisco CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Utah Utes at AT

Junior wide receiver Keenan Allen of California has decided to pass on a final season of college eligibility and head to the NFL after a year riddled with injuries.

Allen, one of the best wide receivers in Cal football history, will finish his college career with a school record 205 catches for 2,570 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“I have always dreamed of having an opportunity to play in the NFL, and my time at Cal has helped me get to the point in my career where I believe I am ready to take that next step,” Allen said in a statement released through the university. “I am thankful for my experience at Cal and am excited about what the future holds.”

Right now, we have projected Allen as a first round pick and probably the top receiver available for April’s draft. He has great size at 6’3″ 210 pounds and also is great at making plays after the catch. He had a down 2012 season after a dominant junior campaign, but he’s still widely regarded as the best in a weak group of receivers.

He is a big, physical receiver who is probably already one of the best route runners in his class, and I think he can go into the NFL and make an instant impact for some team. He will likely be a mid-late first round selection and could develop quickly into one of the better young receivers in the league if he stays healthy.