Kazmeir Allen Bio
Kazmeir Allen (born February 29, 2000) is an American professional football running back who played college football for the UCLA Bruins before signing with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2023. The Tulare, California native has built his career on speed, versatility, and playmaking ability accumulated through his decorated high school and collegiate careers. Allen continues to pursue his NFL ambitions while representing his Central Valley roots.
Early Life and Background
Kazmeir Allen was born on February 29, 2000, in Tulare, California. He grew up in the Central Valley region, where he developed his athletic foundation at Tulare Union High School. Allen’s early exposure to football and track positioned him as a dual-sport athlete whose speed would become his defining trait.
At Tulare Union, Allen established himself as one of the most prolific offensive players in Central Section history. His senior season in 2017 proved record-setting when he accumulated 72 total touchdowns, including 62 rushing scores, nine receiving touchdowns, and one kickoff return touchdown. He helped lead Tulare Union to the 2017 Central Section Division II championship during that campaign.
Allen finished his high school career with remarkable statistics: 6,276 rushing yards, 1,603 receiving yards, and 121 total touchdowns. His exceptional speed translated to the track, where he claimed the 100-meter dash title at the 2018 California Interscholastic Federation state finals with a time of 10.44 seconds, showcasing the elite-level acceleration that would define his football career.
Path to American Football
Allen leveraged his standout high school performance into a Division I opportunity when he signed a National Letter of Intent to play college football for the UCLA Bruins at the University of California, Los Angeles. His combination of rushing prowess, receiving skills, and track-tested speed made him an attractive prospect for college programs seeking versatile offensive weapons.
During his freshman season in 2018, Allen began adapting to the pace and physical demands of Pac-12 competition. His four years at UCLA provided him with experience against some of the nation’s top collegiate programs while allowing him to refine his running back craft under Bruins coaching.
In his senior year of 2022, Allen transitioned from running back to wide receiver, demonstrating positional flexibility that would serve him well in his professional aspirations. His willingness to adapt roles showcased his football intelligence and commitment to contributing however needed on offense.
Kazmeir Allen Career
College Career (2018–2022)
Allen played four seasons as a running back before making the position switch to wide receiver in 2022. Across his 38 games wearing the UCLA uniform, he recorded 550 rushing yards and 762 receiving yards, accumulating 12 total touchdowns between both phases of the offense. His statistical profile reflected a player capable of making an impact both carrying and catching the football.
Beyond football, Allen continued his track and field pursuits at the collegiate level. He competed in the 100-meter dash at the 2019 Pac-12 track and field championships, finishing 19th with a time of 10.61 seconds. This continued dedication to sprinting maintained the speed development that remained central to his athletic identity.
Professional Career
Despite a productive collegiate career, Allen went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. His speed and versatility attracted attention, and he signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in May 2023. The signing represented an opportunity to prove himself at the professional level despite not hearing his name called during the draft process.
Allen was waived during final roster cuts in August 2023 but was immediately re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the Commanders organization. He demonstrated enough progress to earn a re-signing in February 2024, indicating the coaching staff saw potential worth cultivating.
Following another roster move in August 2024, Allen again joined the practice squad before suffering an ankle injury during practice that led to his placement on injured reserve in December 2024. The setback interrupted his momentum but did not end his pursuit of an NFL roster spot. Allen signed a reserve/future contract with the Commanders in January 2025, signaling the team’s continued interest in his development. He was released in August 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Allen’s game is defined by his explosive acceleration and home-run speed. His background as a state champion sprinter translates directly to his football performance, allowing him to reach top speed quickly and threaten defenses with big-play potential on every touch. His versatility as both a runner and receiver provides offensive coordinators with flexibility in how they deploy him. The position switch to wide receiver at UCLA demonstrated his ability to adapt and learn multiple offensive roles.
Notable Milestones
Allen set a high school scoring record with 72 total touchdowns during his senior season at Tulare Union in 2017, a mark that cemented his status as one of the most prolific offensive players in California Central Section history. His state championship in the 100-meter dash at the CIF finals highlighted the elite track credentials that complement his football abilities. His journey from undrafted free agent to practice squad player to injured reserve to a reserve/future contract represented incremental professional progress despite the roster fluctuations inherent to NFL careers.
Kazmeir Allen Career Performance
At the professional level, Allen has yet to appear in a regular season game, with his NFL experience consisting entirely of practice squad duties and time on injured reserve. His collegiate career produced 38 games played with 1,312 total yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns, a productive foundation that he has sought to build upon in his transition to professional football.
College Highlights
Allen reached the end zone 12 times across his four seasons at UCLA, demonstrating consistent scoring ability despite the position transition in his final year. His 550 rushing yards and 762 receiving yards illustrated his dual-threat capability, while his track record as a high school state champion in the 100-meter dash validated the speed that underpinned his offensive production.
Professional Development
Allen’s time with the Washington Commanders has been characterized by the roster movement typical of young players seeking footing in the NFL. Practice squad appearances in 2023 and 2024 provided valuable development time while the reserve/future contract signed in January 2025 offered a path toward securing a more permanent roster role. The ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve in December 2024 represented an obstacle to overcome in his continued development.
Kazmeir Allen Family
Specific details regarding Kazmeir Allen’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or personal relationships, are not available in public sources. The Tulare Union graduate has maintained a private personal life while publicly focusing on his athletic and professional pursuits.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season represents a fresh opportunity for Allen following his August 2025 release from the Washington Commanders. Having signed a reserve/future contract earlier in the year before being released, Allen faces the task of earning another NFL opportunity through the practice squad ranks or preseason competition with another franchise. His track-tested speed and positional versatility as both a running back and wide receiver provide him with a skill set that could attract interest from teams seeking depth at offensive skill positions. The ankle injury from late 2024 has had time to heal, and Allen’s continued presence in professional football circles suggests his determination to establish himself at the highest level remains undiminished.