Jets RB quietly made NFL history last season and nobody noticed

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen didn’t necessarily light up stat sheets as a rookie. He didn’t win any awards, break any records that made national headlines, or even secure a major role in the Jets’ backfield.

But the now-21-year-old running back still managed to do something no player in NFL history ever had, and he did it without many even noticing. Allen's name recently popped up on a graphic shared on social media by CBS Sports highlighting the most rushing yards in NFL history by players before each age milestone.

Allen officially set the record for the most rushing yards by a player in league history before the age of 21 in 2024. Other names on the list include All-Pro talents and Hall of Famers like Barry Sanders, Ezekiel Elliott, and Edgerrin James.

Allen's accomplishment flew under the radar, especially given his team's lack of success and overall offensive dysfunction. It helps that the Wisconsin product was just 20 years old for his entire rookie season, a feat almost unheard of in today’s NFL.

Only two other players have even crossed the 100-yard mark before turning 21: Andy Livingston (150) and Rashaan Salaam (171), and neither did it as young or as early as Allen. Salaam rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie in 1995, but he only appeared in four games before he turned 21 years old.

Braelon Allen's role could increase with the Jets in 2025

Allen quickly carved out a role behind Breece Hall in the Jets' backfield as a rookie. After impressing in the summer, he opened the year as the team's RB2 and logged meaningful snaps early in the season.

While his production tapered off as the year progressed, especially with fellow rookie Isaiah Davis earning more touches, Allen still finished with 92 carries for 334 yards and played 27% of the offensive snaps.

Now entering his second season, Allen finds himself in a competition for snaps in a new-look offense under new head coach Aaron Glenn. Hall remains the clear-cut lead back, but Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand have hinted at a more committee-based approach in 2025.

That means Allen could potentially increase his role with a strong summer. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen is the most physically imposing runner in the Jets’ backfield, which could earn him more goal-line and short-yardage work if the new coaching staff is smarter than their predecessors.

Allen’s not a household name just yet, but making NFL history before turning 21 is no small feat. If he carves out a bigger role in 2025, don’t be surprised if a lot more people start paying attention.

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