Oregon Football: Devon Allen qualifies for Rio Olympics in hurdles

Oregon football has long been known for its speedy playmakers, but Devon Allen took that to the next level Saturday, winning the 110-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials to qualify for the 2016 Rio Games.

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Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich is going to have to do without his veteran receiver for at least part of preseason camp, as Allen will be busy in Brazil after blazing his way to victory in Eugene, Oregon.

Allen’s time of 13.03 is a personal best and the second-fastest time in the world this year, and he did it on his home track, where he also won NCAA titles in 2014 and 2016. That time would also have won Allen a silver medal in the past four Olympics.

The victory caps a remarkable comeback for the 21-year-old, who had an outstanding 2014 season for the Ducks, racking up 684 yards and seven receiving touchdowns, only to tear his ACL in the Rose Bowl. He missed all of the 2015 track season and endured a rough football campaign in the fall, catching just nine passes.

https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/751946656875110401

But Allen has always been most comfortable on the track, and he rebounded from football season with an indoor national championship and then set a Pac-12 championship record in the spring.

Saturday, however, Allen pulled off his best performance in the most important race of his life, topping 2012 gold medalist Aries Merritt and silver medalist James Richardson to stamp his ticket to Rio.

And his teammates and coaches couldn’t be happier for him. Quarterback Dakota Prukop, running back Royce Freeman, fellow receiver Dwayne Stanford and offensive coordinator Matt Lubick were among those to send out congratulatory tweets for Allen.

Allen wasn’t the only FBS player to compete at the Olympic Trials. Adoree Jackson of USC made it to the finals of the long jump but failed to qualify, finishing 10th overall, and Tim White of Arizona State finished 18th in the triple jump. Jackson and Allen were recently named the two fastest players in college football by NFL.com

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Even though Allen will miss some of Oregon’s fall camp, he’s still likely to make an impact for the Ducks this season as either the team’s No. 2 or No. 3 option. And winning an Olympic medal would be as good an excuse as it gets for missing practice.