New York Jets rookie Braelon Allen was the youngest player drafted this past April as well as the heaviest running back in the class.
Combining those two factoids, third-year cornerback Sauce Gardner produced the perfect nickname for the burly 20-year-old ball carrier.
“During walk-through, Sauce Gardner said ‘the big baby’s in, the big baby’s in.’ He kept saying that every time I got in the game,” said Allen. “That’s probably been the funniest thing.”
Allen has been the brunt of multiple jokes due to his age, especially when stacked up against 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams seemed amazed at the revelation that Rodgers began playing in the NFL only one calendar year after Allen was born.
As for Rodgers himself, the four-time NFL MVP made for a humorous moment when initially meeting the fourth-round draft pick.
“We’ve had a couple conversations about it. He was definitely a little tripped out about it at first,” said Allen. “He had saw some Wisconsin games from my freshman year, so he knew that I was playing at 17 [years old] so that was really the first thing that he had said to me. He was like ‘first guy I’ve ever played with that could literally be my kid,’ so that that was pretty funny.”
Allen, who appears on track to earn RB2 reps behind starter Breece Hall, credits his veteran teammates for making his transition to the professional ranks smooth thus far.
“It’s been good, surrounded by great veterans and guys who are willing to help and give advice when needed,” said Allen.
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