WKU RB Leon Allen granted medical hardship to return in 2016
One of Conference USA’s top running backs will return in 2016.
According to multiple reports, the NCAA has approved a medical hardship waiver for Western Kentucky’s Leon Allen, allowing him to return for a fifth season. Allen went down with a serious knee injury in the second game of WKU’s 2015 season and never returned to action.
Before the injury, Allen rushed for 137 yards and two scores on 27 carries. He was looking to build off his standout 2014 campaign when he put up 1,542 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hilltoppers as a junior.
He also combined for 674 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012 and 2013.
WKU head coach Jeff Brohm told the Bowling Green Daily News in January – before a decision about Allen’s future was made – that Allen experienced some complications with his recovery.
"Our main concern with Leon is we want to do what's best for him," Brohm said. "Right now, he's going through a hard, long rehab process. To be honest with you, I don't think it's gone as smooth as he or everyone would've liked. There's been a few hiccups in it. I think it's too early to tell, the timetable. I don't know the timetable. Obviously we'd love to find a way to get him back and to give him a chance to go out and prove himself again and prove that he's healthy. I don't know what the timetable is going to be.
"Right now, we're just trying to get him on a consistent schedule to do his rehab and to get it as healthy as he can and put all the time into it to getting it done for himself. If we can do that, we'll gauge where he's at later on. But right now, he has a ways to go."
Even without Allen, WKU found suitable replacements in Anthony Wales and D’Andre Ferby. Wales led the team with 1,091 yards and added nine touchdowns while Ferby put up 650 yards and 11 scores.
The Hilltoppers won the Conference USA title in 2015 and went on to knock off USF in the Miami Beach Bowl to finish 12-2 on the season.
For more Western Kentucky news, InsideHilltopperSports.com.
- - - - - - -
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
