Syracuse Football: Why LeQuint Allen is likely next season’s MVP, if he comes back

As the Syracuse football season comes to a close following a 52-35 DirecTV Holiday Bowl win over Washington State, let’s all take a moment to reflect and enjoy a 10-win season.

But after that, we have to ask ourselves, what’s next for this program? Who will stay and who will go and where do we go from here?

As rumors circulate about the future of Syracuse football’s MVP Kyle McCord’s status, one player who is likely in that same conversation with him is Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen. And as Brent Axe shared on social media, it looks like there will be a discussion this week about his future.

LeQuint finished the bowl game with 120 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns (2 rushing and 1 receiving) and even a 2-point conversion. He’s had the winning touchdown in both overtime games this season. He’s a player that Coach Fran Brown says has one of the best work ethics on the team and plays with a determination that you better bring it if you plan to stop him. Whenever Coach Brown is asked about LeQuint, his response is always favorable and almost comparable to his praise of McCord.

So as a Syracuse fan, I can’t help but hope for one more season with both players if possible but at least one. The running back group has some good depth when healthy and it’s helped this team but LeQuint is “that guy” who teams have to plan for and defenses have to account for or else he’ll pick up a first down or six points.

If LeQuint Allen returns, Syracuse football will get a big boost at running back.

When I agreed to write for Inside The Loud House, I made it clear that my intent was not to trash the university or any of the programs or deliver hot takes for clicks. And in my time writing here, only once have I written something that I found necessary but not positive and that was when I took a stand against the university trying to suspend LeQuint for defending a teammate and responding when he was struck first.

I didn’t enjoy writing it but I also won’t stand blindly by at injustice either and based on all the evidence made public, I took a stand I still believe was appropriate at the time. And it was for LeQuint Allen and fairness.

Kyle McCord was awarded the bowl game offensive MVP and set the ACC passing yards record in a single season and like I said if the team has an MVP, it’s Kyle BUT don’t you dare think for one second that LeQuint isn’t important too. The fact that Kyle’s an exceptional leader and passer helps make LeQuint’s running options better but it’s also the threat of LeQuint that allows Kyle more options too as they have to respect both equally or you’ll give up 6 points before you know it.

I am a Cuse fan. I am 52 years old and been a big-time football fan of Cuse since the Dick MacPherson era. I grew up loving watching the team, seeing who would wear 44 this season and win or lose, wearing my Cuse shirt to school or work the next day uncaring of the result because this was my team…this was our hometown team (that also applies to other sports but football was my first love).

And in that 40-plus years I’ve watched, LeQuint Allen is one of the most exciting and talented players I’ve ever watched. Sometimes you watch him and you can just see his determination and effort as he wants to pound that ball and be “the guy.” I truly hope we can get one more season with LeQuint on our team. When Syracuse starts the season next year in Atlanta against Tennessee, it will be so helpful knowing we have someone of his caliber to play against a team that made the College Football Playoff this season.

If LeQuint wants to wear 44, let him. If LeQuint is looking for a NIL deal that is possible to get done, get it done. If there is something in particular that LeQuint wants and it can be done without compromising the program, do it (my impression of him is that I don’t think he’s going to ask for anything that hurts the program though).

But if LeQuint Allen thinks the NFL is an option and he wants to pursue that route, let him go knowing Syracuse fans will miss him but are grateful for the opportunity to have watched him in a Syracuse jersey for the last three years.

The choice is LeQuint’s entirely and I refuse to be one of those fans who tells him what’s best for him and his family. But I have to say that if he leaves, I wish him nothing but the best. BUT I would be lying too if I didn’t say that I’d love to see him play one more season if he can and be a catalyst to another winning season next year.

In fact, with Trebor Pena returning as well, I can’t help but be excited for next season whether Kyle goes pro or not…but man how awesome could this offense be with all three weapons back in Orange?