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Former Utah cornerback Brian Allen is headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers after they picked him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the No. 173 pick. He is now the fifth Utah player selected in the 2017 NFL Draft and the third on day three. This draft has seen a huge number of defensive backs taken, including a record in the first three rounds.
Allen, a married father with one child, did not play defensive back prior to coming to Utah. He came to Utah as a big, athletic wide receiver. At 6’ 3”, 215 pounds with a 4.48 40-yard dash, he has the size and speed NFL teams covet at cornerback. Because he switched to defensive back in college, he is still a bit raw. He flashed potential throughout his Utah career, and he has the physical gifts that coaches can work with. He is joining a franchise with a long history of playing great defense.