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University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Bryant Allen
4/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout the winter and spring, GopherSports.com has been bringing you interviews with future Gophers who signed letters of intent earlier this year. Next up is two-sport star Bryant Allen. GopherSports.com caught up to the football and basketball star who will be playing both at TCF Bank Stadium and Williams Arena in the future. The following is a transcript of that interview:
GopherSports.com: Now that Signing Day is over and you’ve had some time to reflect, has it all sunk in that you’re officially a Golden Gopher?
Bryant Allen: Yes. When I traveled to Minnesota, the coaches treated me well. They had a relationship with my parents and once the parents are happy, you know you are in a good situation. The atmosphere was nice. I like the big city and that there is a lot of stuff to do. Everything felt so right to me.
GopherSports.com: Talk about the recruiting process and what made you decide to come to Minnesota?
Bryant Allen: The coaching staff did a good job keeping up with me from the beginning. Some coaches would call me every once in a while, but the Gophers did a good job. When they had the time to make a phone call, I was their first priority. I had a good relationship with them. I got to know the coaches well outside of football. They talked to me about life and all the things outside of football. Most of the time, you don’t want to spend all the time talking about football and you as a player. Minnesota wanted to get to know their players more and they did a good job.
GopherSports.com: How big a factor was it that you could play football and basketball at Minnesota?
Bryant Allen: It is a great thing because I have been playing both sports all of my life. To get the chance to play both at a higher level is also good. When word got out that I wanted to play both, Minnesota was the first team to jump on it. I talked to Tubby Smith about it and football talked about it and they said that we might as well let the kid play both, because he has been doing it all of his life. Once they said that, that just won me over.
GopherSports.com: Is there anyone you like to emulate or pattern your game after?
Bryant Allen: Reggie Bush because I can run back kickoffs. I can catch the ball and I am very elusive when I get the ball. The first two guys on the other team are probably not going to tackle me.
GopherSports.com: How about in basketball? Do you pattern your game after anyone on the court?
Bryant Allen: \ Kobe Bryant because he has heart and he hates to lose. I hate to lose. I am a competitor.
GopherSports.com: What are your thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium?
Bryant Allen: It is going to be nice. I can’t wait to come up to Minnesota and see it when it is all finished. It is going to be great. It is going to be good coming in as a freshman and playing in the new stadium. I can’t wait and I am very excited.
GopherSports.com: Do you realize you’ll be part of the first class to play your entire Minnesota career at the new stadium?
Bryant Allen: It is wonderful. Every home game is probably going to be rockin’. I just can’t wait. I am anxious to get up there. I just can’t wait for my senior year to be over with so I can officially be up there and get ready to start off a good football season.
GopherSports.com: Are you excited to play in the Barn also?
Bryant Allen: Playing for a coach like Tubby Smith is always an honor because of his history and the way he coaches his up-tempo style. From watching the games on TV and from what the coaches said to me from the basketball point of view, it is going to be pretty fun playing in the Barn also and I can’t wait for that.
GopherSports.com: What are your goals for your first season with the Gophers?
Bryant Allen: I want to start academically strong. I want to maintain good grades. Sports-wise, I just want to go out there and play my game, have fun and win championships. I just want to have fun my first year, win, and accomplish a lot of stuff team-wise and as an individual.
GopherSports.com: What have you been up to since Signing Day?
Bryant Allen: I have been working out. I have been doing football drills and I’ve been on the basketball court getting a couple of shots up. I’m also working out on the track. I am working on getting faster and stronger and getting ready to come up to Minnesota.
GopherSports.com: How did your basketball season go this year?
Bryant Allen: We won the State Championship. This was our second state championship in a row.
GopherSports.com: What was most memorable?
Bryant Allen: Spending time with my teammates before the season was over with. I bonded with my coaches. I told them that when I leave for Minnesota, even though I will be a Gopher, I will always be a Blue Devil. It was just an honor to end my senior year coming out on top and winning a championship. Overall, I had a great four years in high school and now I am taking it up to Minnesota.
GopherSports.com: What’s your favorite thing to do if you have a day to yourself to do anything you want?
Bryant Allen: Probably just hang out with my friends or just sit around and hang out with my family and get to spend quality time with them before I leave for school.
GopherSports.com: What music are you listening to most right now?
Bryant Allen: Lil’ Wayne or Jay-Z. One of my favorite songs is Rick Ross “The Boss.”
GopherSports.com: Seen a good movie lately? Favorite movie or movies ever?
Bryant Allen: My favorite movie is “All about the Benjamins.” I have always liked that movie
GopherSports.com: Favorite type of food? If you had to choose your favorite meal, what would it be?
Bryant Allen: Everything except sushi. My favorite meal would be; mango lemonade, honey barbeque chicken breast and shrimp, with mashed potatoes.
GopherSports.com: What’s can’t miss TV for you?
Bryant Allen: Family Matters
GopherSports.com: Do you have any hidden talents that maybe not many people know about?
Bryant Allen: I can tumble. I learned on my own.
GopherSports.com: Is there anything you’d like to say to Gopher fans who will be reading this?
Bryant Allen: Thank you for welcoming me to Minnesota and I can’t wait to see the fan support when I get up there. I ask for them to continue to be Gopher fans forever. Go Gophers!
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