Dakota Allen is proud of where he is from.
The former Summer Creek football standout, who went on to play at Texas Tech University and East Mississippi Community College before being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, is giving back to the community that helped raise him.
In May, the Dakota Allen Foundation awarded five $2,000 scholarships to Class of 2023 Summer Creek High School graduates – William Euston, Taniyah Morris, Paris Stewart, Yulia Meza, and Celvin Hernadez.
Allen, who lives in the Humble area, was on hand to award the scholarships to the students.
“I wanted to start at Summer Creek because I went there and I feel like I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for my high school,” Allen said. “My high school was an important part of my life.
“My goal is to have it increase every year. Maybe the same amount of students but an increase in the dollar amount. That’s my goal.”
Students receive the scholarship in $500 installments each semester. They must maintain a 2.5 GPA to receive the next installment the next semester to reach the full $2,000 scholarship.
Allen purposely set up the scholarship this way, not just to make sure they are maintaining their grades, but also to stay connected with the recipients as they go through their college journey.
“It’s important to me to let the kids know that I sat in those same seats that they were in and they can do whatever they want themselves to be,” Allen said. “I like talking to the kids too because I feel like I connect with them. I know it's been 10 years [since I graduated high school] but it doesn’t feel like it's been that long ago.”
Allen played at Summer Creek High School and in his senior season racked up 112 tackles and was named the District 19-4A Defensive MVP.
He grew up in this community and jumped at the opportunity to give back to a place he once again calls home.
“It means a lot to me, I’m very proud of where I’m from,” Allen said. “Last year, the Mayor of Humble gave me my own day … I just bought a house out here, I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon, my parents still live out here. I played in the Humble Area Football League just down the street. This is where I’m from and I’m proud to be from Humble.”
Allen played his college football at Texas Tech University and East Mississippi Community College. The 2014 Summer Creek graduate finished his collegiate career as a Red Raider with 92 tackles and six forced turnovers his junior season.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, Allen was selected in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams. He has played for the Rams, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos either on the active roster or the practice squad.
Allen is currently a free agent and hopes to sign with an NFL team by August when training camp opens.
“My biggest message that I try to get across in my story, first thing first is God saved me,” Allen said. “If it wasn’t for the Lord I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today at all. The second thing is through hard work and dedication you can achieve anything you ever want in life. I use myself as an example again. Growing up no one worked as hard as me in the gym or on the field.
“I just feel like you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it.”