(WSYR) - Zach Allen -- a highly-touted 3-star QB recruit from Temple, TX -- has switched his college football commitment from Syracuse to Texas Christian University.
Allen said there was too much uncertainty surrounding SU's coaching situation -- specifically at offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Previous Orange offensive coordinator/QB coach Nathaniel Hackett recruited Allen to Syracuse, but left last week along with head coach Doug Marrone for the Buffalo Bills. Syracuse defensive coordinator Scott Shafer has been promoted to head coach, but is still filling out his coaching staff.
While Allen had originally said he would honor his verbal commitment and play for the Orange, he had a change of heart just days before the spring semester started.
He'll now play for Gary Patterson at TCU, just a few hours from his hometown of Temple, TX. Allen said the Horned Frogs were one of many schools that contacted him after Marrone stepped down at SU. Clemson and Oklahoma State were among the other schools vying for his services.
Allen was seen by many to be SU's QB of the future -- possibly playing as early as the 2013 season. The 6'3, 185-lb. prospect had planned to enroll at SU for the spring semester and participate in spring football drills.
Allen committed to Syracuse back in May, after somewhat flying under the radar. His stock began to soar later in the summer, though, when he was a top 25 finalist on the prestigious Elite 11 QB circuit. Former Super Bowl-winning QB and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer, along with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, were among the many scouts raving about Allen's potential.
As a high school senior this past season, Allen threw for 2,162 yards, 24 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions in ten games. He also added 929 yards and 9 TD's on the ground.
