EAST LANSING - “It’s not going to happen just because you want it, I think if you really want something you have to work hard for it,” says Leslie Allen, advice from his mother, that Jack Allen grew up listening to. Good thing he did or else he would not be on the big stage where he is today, putting his dreams into reality through a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

“He’s persistent and a hard worker, he will do whatever he needs to do to accomplish a task,” said Allen’s father, John Allen. This hard work and persistence has driven Allen to thrive while constantly being doubted and overlooked. “Hard work and persistence are kind of the two things that I pride myself on,” said Allen. “They’re qualities that I think every football player should have and it’s what sets you apart.”

“Jack’s always been doubted, even in high school and even in college where no one really believed in him but our family and him,” said Allen’s youngest brother, Matt Allen. “I think he really just put the hard work in and thought I can do whatever I want to do.”

Allen’s “can do” mentality pushed him to find success in every endeavor he ventured after. “In most of the things I did, when I got there to whatever team I was on I wasn’t really viewed as an elite player but once I was there for a little bit and had time to show them what I got I earned my place,” said Allen.

“He’s never been given anything he’s always had to earn it and work hard for it,” said Allen’s Training Coach at OA Athletics, Gabe Salinas. Earning, being the theme in his life beginning at a very early age.

“In baseball people thought he was just a football player looking for something to do in the off-season but he was actually really good at it,” said John. “They never really gave him the benefit of the doubt he had to prove what he could do, and he did it in many sports. He started out batting eighth or ninth and finished batting fourth or fifth.”

This underestimation followed Allen to high school and onto the Hinsdale Central football field. ”His high school coach said that he didn’t think that he would play Big Ten football, he thought he could play in a lower division,” said Leslie. “His big break came from Mark Dantonio at Michigan State and after that more offers starting coming in.”

Although Allen was not recruited until his junior year of high school he went on to become one of the most highly decorated offensive linemen in Michigan State history. Earning back-to-back two-time All-American accolades.

Doubt being more fuel for his fire, caused Allen to not only work hard on the field but in the classroom as well. “Nothing has ever came easy for me, I had to work harder on the field, I had to work harder in the classroom,” said Allen. “You hear it all the time, people say football can only take you so far so I just feel like in today's world you need to have that education, you need to have that piece of paper that says you did what you were supposed to do.”

Allen did more than expected graduating as a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and named to the 2016 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society for his academic good standing throughout his entire college career.

He continued to work hard in preparation for the next level; the NFL Draft. “I flew home the day after the Cotton Bowl to Chicago, I was home for one day and then the next morning I had a flight at 8 a.m. to California to go train,” said Allen.

To Allen training wasn’t enough, although he did not have to participate in any other events he saw them as opportunities to once again prove himself. “I was invited to the Senior Bowl down in Alabama and I decided to participate and see how I matched up against the rest of the guys, I think I did well. I had the NFL combine and after that it was time to get ready for Pro Day at Michigan State and then I had individual workouts with teams.”

After all of the hard work and preparation came the waiting. Everything that Allen had done his entire life to earn a spot in the NFL Draft came down to the weekend of April 28th. “It was disappointing but I never really build things up in my head and say ‘oh this is going to happen,”’ said Allen.

John Allen, a firsthand witness to the extra hours and sweat Allen put into becoming the athlete he is today felt the disappointment as well. “It was heartbreaking to him and to us when he didn't get drafted but it’s just another obstacle and how you respond to the heartbreak is what defines you.”

Two-time Rimington trophy finalist, Allen responded to going undrafted just like every other obstacle he’s overcome; with hard work. “I think it will motivate him and just give him that chip on the shoulder that will allow him to keep proving people wrong, that he can make it and be successful in that league,” said Allen’s brother, Brian Allen.

Motivation that got him noticed by the New Orleans Saints, who offered him a three year free agent contract. “He’s the type of guy who always thinks it’s his first day on the job, whether it’s at Michigan State, whether it’s in New Orleans, I know he’s working hard and doing what he’s supposed to do,” said Salinas. “He’s the type of guy who never rests on his laurels, I think that’s a great quality to have not only in an athlete but in a person as well.”

Allen, a person who is described as hard working, persistent, dedicated and humble by his family and friends, has continued to raise the bar. “He’s just continued to evolve into a young man, I think Coach Dantonio and his staff get some credit for that, we gave them a boy and he turned into a young man,” said John.

As for Allen’s supporters, there is no question that he should make it at the next level. “ He has a proven track record, he’s got the technique, he’s done the things that he knows he needs to do and you know he’s proven it over and over again at the highest stage of college football,” said Salinas. “He’s gone against and been very competitive, if not better, than a lot of the guys who are doing well in the NFL now so for me there’s no reason he shouldn’t make it and I think they would be foolish if they didn’t take him.”

Allen is currently working hard at the Greenbrier in West Virginia for the New Orleans Saints Team Camp.