Geronimo John Allison[1] (born January 18, 1994) is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Illinois, and was signed by the Green Bay Packers in 2016 as an undrafted free agent.

Geronimo Allison
refer to caption
Allison with the Green Bay Packers in 2018
Personal information
Born: (1994-01-18) January 18, 1994 (age 30)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Spoto (Riverview, Florida)
College:
Position:Wide receiver
Undrafted:2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:89
Receiving yards:1,045
Receiving touchdowns:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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In an interview with The News-Gazette, Allison said his mother, Melissa Glover, gave him his first name because she wanted to give him "a unique name".[2] Allison credits his mother with instilling his religious faith, which he expresses in post-game prayers with opponents and teammates at midfield.[3]

Allison attended Spoto High School in Riverview, Florida.[4] He was academically ineligible his sophomore and junior years but worked in private classes with the coach's wife Anne Caparaso to improve his grades and had a successful senior season.[3]

College career

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Due to his academic struggles in high school, Allison began college at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He proved to be a bright student, finishing an associate degree in just three semesters. Allison also led the team to a 22–1 record in two seasons, an NJCAA title, and led the conference in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in his second year.[3]

Allison transferred to the University of Illinois, where he played for the Fighting Illini in 2014 and 2015.[5] During his junior year, Allison was usually the second option to freshman star Mike Dudek, though Allison caught five touchdowns to Dudek's six for the 6–7 Illini. In Week 3, Allison had a career-high six receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in a lopsided loss to Washington.[6] Allison took over the top spot his senior year, replacing the injured Dudek for 882 yards but only three touchdowns during the 5–7 campaign. Allison had over 90 yards receiving in five of the first seven games, but five or fewer receptions in the final five games of the season.[7] He was an All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention, and won the team's Service Above Self award.[3]

College statistics

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Illinois Fighting Illini
Year Games Receiving
G GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2014 13 12 41 598 14.6 60 5
2015 12 11 65 882 13.6 53 3
Total 24 22 106 1,480 14.0 60 8
Source: FightingIllini.com

Professional career

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External videos
  Allison's NFL Combine workout
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 3+14 in
(1.91 m)
196 lb
(89 kg)
32+78 in
(0.84 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.67 s 1.65 s 2.74 s 4.28 s 7.40 s 33 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)
13[8]
All values are from NFL Combine[9][10]

Green Bay Packers

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2016 season

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After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, Allison signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 6, 2016.[11]

On September 3, 2016, Allison was released by the Packers during final team cuts,[12] but re-signed to the Packers' practice squad two days later.[13] On October 24, 2016, he was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.[14] Allison made his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. His first career NFL reception came as a four-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers in the second quarter. Allison finished the narrow 33–32 road loss with two receptions for 21 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.[15]

Allison finished his rookie year with 12 receptions for 202 yards and two touchdowns in ten games and two starts. In the postseason, Allison had five receptions for 65 yards before the Packers lost on the road to the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game by a score of 44–21.[16]

2017 season

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On July 19, 2017, Allison was suspended for the first game of the 2017 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.[17] During a Week 3 27–24 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he had career-highs with six receptions and 122 yards.[18]

Allison finished his second professional season with 23 receptions for 253 yards in 15 games and two starts.[19] Allison's 23 receptions finished fourth among Packers receivers on the season.[20]

2018 season

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Allison was re-signed by the Packers on March 14, 2018.[21] He started the season well, with 19 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a concussion during a Week 3 31–17 road loss to the Washington Redskins.[22] On November 6, 2018, Allison was placed on injured reserve after undergoing groin surgery.[23][24]

Allison finished the 2018 season with 20 receptions for 303 yards and two touchdowns in five games and four starts.[25]

2019 season

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On March 13, 2019, Allison was re-signed by the Packers.[26] He finished the 2019 season with 34 receptions for 287 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and six starts. In the postseason, Allison had three receptions for 19 yards before the Packers lost on the road to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game by a score of 37–20.[27]

Detroit Lions

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On April 6, 2020, Allison signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.[28] On August 2, 2020, Allison announced that he would opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29]

On August 31, 2021, Allison was released by the Lions.[30] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 15.[31] Allison was promoted to the active roster on October 20. He was released on November 16 and re-signed to the practice squad.[32]

Atlanta Falcons

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On May 16, 2022, Allison signed with the Falcons.[33] He was released on August 23, 2022.[34]

Vegas Vipers

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Allison with the Vegas Vipers in 2023

Allison was signed by the Vegas Vipers of the XFL on January 21, 2023.[35] The Vipers folded when the XFL and United States Football League merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[36]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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On January 19, 2024, Allison signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[37] He was released on June 1.[38]

Career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
2016 GB 10 2 12 202 16.8 39 2 0 0
2017 GB 15 2 23 253 11.0 72 0 2 0
2018 GB 5 4 20 303 15.2 64 2 1 0
2019 GB 16 6 34 287 8.4 31 2 2 1
2020 DET 0 0 Did not play due to COVID-19 Opt Out
2021 DET 3 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Total 49 15 89 1,045 11.7 72 6 4 1
Source: NFL.com

Postseason

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
2016 GB 3 1 5 65 13.0 26 0 0 0
2019 GB 2 0 3 19 6.3 19 0 0 0
Total 5 1 8 84 10.5 26 0 0 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References

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  1. ^ "Geronimo Allison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  2. ^ Asmussen, Bob (October 10, 2014). "Q&A with Geronimo Allison". The News-Gazette. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Hendricks, Martin. "Allison thankful for opportunity". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  4. ^ Wilde, Jason (August 4, 2016). "Nearly a 'never was,' rookie receiver Geronimo Allison catches Packers' eye". ESPN. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  5. ^ "Illinois Fighting Illini: Geronimo Allison". FightingIllini.com. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  6. ^ "Illinois at Washington Box Score, September 13, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  7. ^ "Geronimo Allison Career Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  8. ^ McGinn, Bob (May 6, 2016). "A closer look at the Packers rookie free agents". JSOnline.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  9. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Geronimo Allison". National Football League. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  10. ^ "Geronimo Allison – Illinois, WR : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". DraftScout.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  11. ^ "Packers sign 19 rookie free agents". Packers.com. May 6, 2016. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  12. ^ "Packers keep six undrafted rookies, including QB Joe Callahan". Packers.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  13. ^ "Packers sign LS Goode; claim RB Pressley". Packers.com. September 5, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  14. ^ "Packers promote WR Allison, S Whitehead to active roster". Packers.com. October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on February 18, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  15. ^ Demovsky, Rob (October 31, 2016). "Encouraging sign: Aaron Rodgers, Packers' offense back on track". ESPN. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  16. ^ "Geronimo Allison 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  17. ^ Florio, Mike (July 19, 2017). "Geronimo Allison suspended for first game of regular season". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  18. ^ "Packers' Geronimo Allison: Drops 122 yards on Bengals". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  19. ^ "Geronimo Allison 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  20. ^ "2017 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  21. ^ Hodkiewicz, Wes (March 12, 2018). "Negotiating window opens today for pending NFL free agents". Packers.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  22. ^ "Packers' Geronimo Allison: Enters concussion protocol". CBSSports.com. September 30, 2018.
  23. ^ Bouda, Nate (November 6, 2018). "Packers Place WR Geronimo Allison on IR, Waive S Jermaine Whitehead". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  24. ^ "Packers place WR Geronimo Allison on IR, release S Whitehead". Packers.com. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  25. ^ "Geronimo Allison 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  26. ^ "Packers officially keeping WR Geronimo Allison on 1-year deal". packerswire.com. March 15, 2019.
  27. ^ "Geronimo Allison 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  28. ^ "Lions agree to terms with unrestricted free agent WR Geronimo Allison". DetroitLions.com. March 29, 2020.
  29. ^ Rothstein, Michael (August 2, 2020). "Lions WR Geronimo Allison opting out of season". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  30. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2021.
  31. ^ "Detroit Lions sign WR Geronimo Allison to the practice squad". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. September 15, 2021.
  32. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (November 16, 2021). "Detroit Lions waive WR Geronimo Allison". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  33. ^ Choate, Dave (May 16, 2022). "Falcons announce three signings, including veteran WR Geronimo Allison". The Falcoholic. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  34. ^ Bair, Scott (August 23, 2022). "Falcons cut four, waive/injured another to reach 80-man NFL roster limit". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  35. ^ Duran, Gavin. "Las Vegas Vipers Sign Former NFL Vet WR Geronimo Allison". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  36. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  37. ^ "Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings". CFL.ca. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  38. ^ "Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings".
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