Leon Ayers Jr

Allen stresses strength, discipline for Columbia

As new coach of the Tigers, the former NFL linebacker says his first task since taking over the program in March was changing the culture at his former school. He did that by imposing a very intense summer workout program that he believes will pay dividends in the fourth quarter of games this fall.

“Fundamentals are important on Friday nights,” said Allen, Craig Howard's replacement after he left following three years to become head coach at Southern Oregon University. “I created something we call Beast, which is part of stadium-step running, bear crawls, push ups and sit ups every 5 yards on the field. It is extremely difficult. it is something to bring discipline to your program. I am a firm believer you have to have discipline to be successful.”

Columbia, which missed the playoffs last season after going 6-4, has dominating linemen in junior offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) and defensive nose tackle Dequan Ivery (6-1, 300). Tunsil is being recruited by everyone (he has offers from UF, FSU, USC, Georgia, Notre Dame among others) and Ivery, who backed up senior standout Tim Jernigan last season, has early offers from the likes of Louisville, Syracuse and Maryland.

“What is great is those two will face each other everyday in practice and it is only going to make them better,” Allen said. “They are going to face the best each day in practice. I am a firm believer you are only as good as your offensive line and defensive line. Those guys can change the face of the game.”

Junior outside linebacker Felix Woods (6-0, 190), who had 100 tackles a year ago, is one of five starters back on defense and is the leader of the unit. “He is my signal caller on defense,” Allen said. “We have a young group of kids that are extremely talented that I expect to do good things this year.”

Offensively, senior quarterback Nigel Atkinson (1,200 yards passing, 300 yards rushing in 2010) returns along with running back Rakeem “Rock” Battle (800 all-purpose yards), who started last year as a freshman, and junior wide receiver Nate Ayers (600 receiving yards last year).

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