JMU Athletics

Powhatan’s own Mike Allen, a graduate of Blessed Sacrament Huguenot, has signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns for the 2012 season.

The James Madison cornerback played all 13 games at cornerback for the Dukes in 2011, starting in 11 of them and recording a career-best 43 tackles on the season, including 23 solos, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

The four-year letterwinner recorded a season-high seven tackles, with four solos, in the NCAA Division I Playoffs Second Round at eventual national champion North Dakota State. He had three tackles and a key interception return for a touchdown in the regular-season finale at Massachusetts that propelled JMU into the playoffs. He also had six tackles at North Carolina, while posting three or more tackles in eight contests. After playing wide receiver his first two years and moving to defense prior to his junior year, Allen finished his career with 63 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 10 passes defended, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.