Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen played one season at Reedley College before transferring to Wyoming. Allen went on to play three seasons at Wyoming to finish his college career. He was the third quarterback selected in the 2018 NFL Draft when the Bills picked him seventh overall.
Let’s take a look at the school where Allen started his college career.
Where Is Reedley College?
Reedley College is located in Reedley, Calif., about 25 miles southeast of Fresno. The school opened as a junior college in September 1926 with 30 students and six courses. Reedley College slowly grew in terms of campus size and students. Today, the school’s campus is over 400 acres, with over 11,000 students and 450 faculty members.
Reedley has five men’s and seven women’s athletic programs and competes in the California Community College Athletic Association. The school’s nickname is the Tigers, and the team colors are orange and black.
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The school competes in baseball, basketball, equestrian, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Other Reedley College athletes who have made the NFL include defensive back Rolan Milligan (2019), defensive lineman Ervin Baldwin (2009), linebacker Doug Fisher (1969-70), and kicker Danny Villanueva (1960-1967).
Why Did Allen Go to Reedley College?
Allen played high school football in Firebaugh, Calif., and did not receive scholarship offers to attend an FBS program. As a result, Allen decided to play junior college football at Reedley College.
As a freshman, Allen was not the starting quarterback when the season first started. The school’s offensive coordinator, Ernie Rodriguez, recalled with ESPN a conversation he had with Allen: “I’m like, ‘Be patient, be patient, be patient,’ and when I said it’s yours, that’s when he took full control of the offense — and I mean, like I said, he took full control of the team.”
Allen completed 127 of his 259 pass attempts for 2,055 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games at Reedley College. He led the team in rushing with 600 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Allen posted his highlight video on Hudl for FBS schools to view as he worked his way up to the fifth-best dual-threat quarterback on the 247Sports rankings of junior college quarterbacks.
After Allen committed to Wyoming, head coach Craig Bohl said, “He is a guy who has really matured during his one year in junior college. He is a tall guy who is putting on weight. He has a strong arm. He’s got a great head for the game.”
In three seasons at Wyoming, Allen passed for 5,066 yards and 44 touchdowns with 21 interceptions in 27 games. He led Wyoming to back-to-back bowl games and won the MVP of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
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