Buffalo’s Savior: The Untold Story of How Josh Allen Was Almost Forgotten

Josh Allen’s journey to NFL stardom is the stuff of legend, a tale that begins in the quiet farming town of Firebaugh, California, and ends under the bright lights of professional football.

His rise wasn’t just improbable—it was borderline miraculous.

How does a kid from a town of 5,000 people, with no Division I offers and a rejection-filled inbox, go on to become one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the league?

The answer lies in the vision and persistence of the people who believed in him when the rest of the world didn’t.

Growing up on his family’s farm, Allen learned the value of hard work early.

When he wasn’t helping out with cotton and cantaloupe crops, he was swimming, playing basketball, baseball, and football.

But despite his athletic prowess, Allen’s high school career started with little fanfare.

As a sophomore, he stood just 5’9” and weighed 150 pounds—not exactly the build college scouts dream of.

Even after a growth spurt shot him up to six feet by his junior year, Allen’s impressive stats—2,200 yards and 26 touchdowns—weren’t enough to attract Division I interest.

Determined to prove himself, Allen attended a football camp at Fresno State in the summer of 2013.

He dominated the seven-on-seven tournament, leading his team to the championship game.

Yet, when organizers divided quarterbacks into groups for further evaluation, Allen was placed in the “not worth pursuing” category.

The snub hurt deeply but ignited a fire within him.

By his senior year, Allen had grown to 6’3” and was putting up staggering numbers: 3,000 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 400 rushing yards.

But despite leading Firebaugh High to a 10-win season, Allen still couldn’t land a Division I scholarship.

His family sent his tape to countless college coaches, but the only recognition he received was from the National Future Farmers of America—not exactly the audience he was hoping for.

With no other options, Allen enrolled at Reedley College, a junior college near his hometown.

Even there, he wasn’t handed the starting job right away.

But once he got on the field, Allen showcased his dual-threat abilities, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 66 yards per game.

The Reedley staff were convinced that Allen’s talent would finally catch the attention of Division I programs.

Yet, despite sending out over 1,000 emails to college coaches with his tape attached, Allen received no replies.

Then, fate intervened.

In late 2014, the Wyoming Cowboys came to scout one of Allen’s teammates at Reedley College.

The Tigers’ staff implored Wyoming’s representatives to take a look at their quarterback instead.

Among them was Dave Brown, who had previously been a safeties coach at Fresno State during Allen’s high school years.

Brown remembered Allen’s potential and advocated for him to Wyoming’s offensive coordinator, Brent Vigen.

Vigen was no stranger to finding diamonds in the rough.

He had previously recruited Carson Wentz to North Dakota State, helping transform him from an unranked high school player into the No.2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Vigen saw similar traits in Allen: arm strength, competitiveness, and a willingness to bet on himself.

When Wyoming lost their preferred quarterback recruit to Syracuse, the door opened for Allen.

Allen’s armed talent blew everyone away during spring practices at Wyoming, but Vigen knew there was work to be done.

Allen’s footwork and decision-making needed significant improvement.

He began the 2015 season as a backup but was thrust into the starting role after an injury to the team’s senior quarterback.

Unfortunately, Allen’s season ended abruptly when he broke his collarbone in seven places during his second game.

The injury was devastating.

Allen spent weeks in his dorm room, frustrated and questioning his future.

But instead of giving up, he used the time to study film and learn Vigen’s pro-style offense inside and out.

By the time he returned in 2016, Allen was a completely different player—physically stronger, mentally sharper, and more confident.

That season, Allen led Wyoming to its first division championship in 20 years, throwing for over 3,200 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 500 yards and seven scores.

Suddenly, the once-overlooked quarterback was garnering attention from NFL scouts.

Despite the temptation to declare for the draft, Allen chose to return to Wyoming for another year to refine his skills.

The 2017 season was a mixed bag.

Wyoming lost several offensive starters to the NFL, and Allen’s numbers declined.

Critics began to question his draft stock, labeling him a “boom-or-bust prospect” due to his inconsistent stats and subpar accuracy.

But Allen silenced many doubters with strong performances at the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and Wyoming Pro Day.

His arm talent and athleticism were undeniable, and by the time the 2018 NFL Draft rolled around, he was selected seventh overall by the Buffalo Bills.

Allen’s rookie season was a rollercoaster.

He showed flashes of brilliance—hurdling defenders and making jaw-dropping throws—but struggled with accuracy, completing just 52.8% of his passes.

Determined to improve, Allen worked with personal quarterback coach Jordan Palmer in the offseason.

Palmer introduced Allen to cutting-edge biometric technology, which revealed flaws in his throwing mechanics.

Together, they rebuilt Allen’s motion, resulting in a dramatic leap in performance.

The results were staggering.

In 2020, Allen threw for over 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns, leading the Bills to the AFC Championship Game.

His completion rate jumped to 69.2%, silencing critics who had doubted his ability to improve.

Allen earned his first Pro Bowl nod, finished second in MVP voting, and solidified his status as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Since then, Allen has continued to evolve, finishing top-five in MVP voting in 2022 and 2023.

With each passing season, he looks more polished, more confident, and more unstoppable.

He’s yet to deliver Buffalo its first Lombardi Trophy, but if his trajectory is any indication, it’s only a matter of time.

Allen’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of those who believe in you when no one else does.

From Brent Vigen and Dave Brown spotting his potential to Jordan Palmer refining his mechanics, Allen’s success is a team effort.

But ultimately, it’s his own relentless drive and willingness to bet on himself that have propelled him to greatness.