40 Facts About Allen Lazard

Early Life and High School Achievements

Allen Lazard's journey to the NFL began in Urbandale, Iowa, where he showcased his talent early on.

1. Birthdate and Place: Born on December 11, 1995, in Urbandale, Iowa.
2. High School Career: Played high school football at Urbandale High School, starting for four years on both offense and defense.
3. High School Records: Holds school career records in receptions (105), receiving yards (2,349), touchdowns (34), and interceptions (14).
4. High School Honors: Named a USA Today High School All-American. Received the Des Moines Register's Offensive Player of the Year award in 2013 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2012.

College Career at Iowa State

Lazard chose to stay close to home for college, making a significant impact at Iowa State University.

5. College Choice: Chose Iowa State University over other top programs like Notre Dame, Nebraska, Stanford, California, and Iowa.
6. College Statistics: Accumulated 241 receptions for 3,360 yards and 26 touchdowns over four seasons.
7. College Awards: Named First-Team All-Big 12 by the coaches and Second-team All-Big 12 by the media in 2016 and 2017.
8. College Freshman Season: Started 11 games, finishing second on the team in receptions (45) and receiving yards (593), scoring three touchdowns.
9. College Sophomore Season: Improved significantly with 56 receptions for 808 yards and six touchdowns.
10. College Junior Season: Had 69 receptions for 1,018 yards and seven touchdowns.
11. College Senior Season: Finished with 71 receptions for 941 yards and ten touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the top receivers in the Big 12.

Transition to the NFL

Despite going undrafted, Lazard's talent soon found a home in the NFL.

12. Undrafted Free Agent: Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 but was later cut and signed by the Green Bay Packers.
13. NFL Debut: Made his NFL debut with the Green Bay Packers in 2018, though he didn't see significant playing time during his rookie season.
14. Breakout Season: Posted 35 receptions for 477 yards and three touchdowns in 2019, including a 103-yard performance against the New York Giants.

Growth with the Green Bay Packers

Lazard's time with the Packers saw him grow into a reliable wide receiver.

15. Consistent Improvement: Improved over the next few seasons, posting 33 receptions for 451 yards and three touchdowns in 2020, and 40 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021.
16. Career Highs: The 2021 season marked career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, with five touchdowns over the final five weeks of the season.
17. Target Share: Finished second among Green Bay wide receivers in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2021.
18. Fantasy Performance: Ranked sixth in fantasy points per target at 2.38 and seventh in quarterback rating per target at 132.8 in 2021.
19. Snap Share: Had a snap share of 72.8% in 2021, indicating his consistent involvement in the Packers' offense.
20. Air Yards: Totaled 660 air yards in 2021, ranking 64th in completed air yards (355).

Contract and Performance in 2022

Lazard's performance in 2022 continued to solidify his role as a key player.

21. Restricted Free Agent: Became a restricted free agent after the 2021 season, with the Packers placing a second-round tender on him in March 2022.
22. Contract Extension: Signed the tender on June 13, 2022, committing to the Packers for another season.
23. 2022 Season Performance: Appeared in and started 15 games, finishing with 60 receptions for 788 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
24. Notable Games in 2022: Had six receptions for 116 receiving yards in a 27–24 overtime victory against the New England Patriots in Week 4.

Move to the New York Jets

In 2023, Lazard made a significant move to the New York Jets.

25. Trade to New York Jets: Signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the New York Jets on March 13, 2023, leaving the Green Bay Packers after five seasons.
26. Current Team: Currently plays for the New York Jets, where he is expected to continue his role as a key wide receiver.

Physical Attributes and Skills

Lazard's physical attributes make him a standout wide receiver.

27. Height and Weight: Stands at 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 227 pounds, providing significant size at the wide receiver position.
28. Arm Length and Hand Size: Has an arm length of 32 1/4 inches and hand size of 9 3/4 inches, notable measurements for a wide receiver.

High School and College Comparisons

Lazard's high school and college careers set the stage for his NFL success.

29. College Bio: Named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Des Moines Register in 2012 and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2013.
30. High School Comparison: His high school career was compared to Marques Colston, a former New Orleans Saints wide receiver known for his size and playmaking ability.
31. College Target Share: Had a 28.6% college target share, among the highest for wide receivers, indicating his reliability and effectiveness in the passing game.
32. Breakout Age: His breakout age of 19.7 is in the upper echelon for wide receivers, suggesting he developed quickly into a significant contributor.

Speed and Performance Metrics

Lazard's speed and performance metrics highlight his athleticism.

33. Speed Score: Has an elite speed score of 107.9 (88th percentile) and a burst score of 74th percentile, showing his ability to accelerate quickly and make plays downfield.

Career Milestones and Impact

Lazard's career milestones and impact on his teams are noteworthy.

34. Career Milestones: Achieved several career milestones, including being named to multiple All-Big 12 teams and holding Iowa State records for receptions and receiving yards.
35. Impact on Jets Offense: Instrumental in advancing the Jets' offensive strategies, particularly in key game situations.
36. Partnership with Zach Wilson: His partnership with quarterback Zach Wilson has shown promise, with both players displaying effective play connection in pivotal game moments.

Recent Performance and Future Prospects

Lazard's recent performance and future prospects with the Jets are promising.

37. Recent Games Performance: Shown consistent performance in the 2023 season, including notable games against the Bills, Cowboys, and Patriots.
38. Injury and Inactivity: Despite his contributions, was inactive in a recent game against the Dolphins, highlighting the complexities of NFL roster management.
39. Contract Negotiations: Ongoing negotiations between the Jets and Lazard regarding a significant four-year, $44 million contract extension, aiming to finalize his future with the team.
40. Optimism for Season Success: Both Lazard and fellow wide receiver Garrett Wilson share aspirations of a successful season, aiming for a Super Bowl run with the New York Jets.

Allen Lazard: A Rising Star

Allen Lazard's journey from high school standout to NFL wide receiver showcases his dedication and talent. Born in Urbandale, Iowa, Lazard made waves at Iowa State University, setting records and earning accolades. Despite going undrafted, he found his footing with the Green Bay Packers, where he steadily improved each season. His breakout in 2019 marked the beginning of a promising career, highlighted by consistent performances and key contributions.

Now with the New York Jets, Lazard continues to impress with his size, speed, and playmaking abilities. His partnership with quarterback Zach Wilson and aspirations for a Super Bowl run reflect his commitment to success. As Lazard navigates his NFL career, his impact on the field remains undeniable. With ongoing contract negotiations, his future looks bright, promising more exciting moments for fans and teammates alike.