In 2018, Josh Allen had no college offers and few believed in him, but years later, his hard work turned him into an NFL MVP
His determination paid off when he won the 2024 NFL MVP award, marking an incredible journey from an overlooked young player to one of football’s most successful quarterbacks. Buffalo defeated Minnesota 27-6, and Allen delivered one of the most memorable plays of his rookie season when he jumped over linebacker Anthony Barr during a run. In 2020, he helped Buffalo reach the AFC Championship Game, showing how far he had come since his difficult rookie season. The biggest personal achievement came after the 2024 season when Allen won his first Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award. He finished the regular season with 41 total touchdowns and only eight turnovers, giving Buffalo another reason to trust the quarterback they had selected seven years earlier. During his acceptance speech at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6, 2025, Allen thanked the people who had supported him throughout his career.
Josh Allen went from receiving no Division I scholarship offers to becoming one of the biggest stars in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills quarterback grew up in a small farming town in California, where his dream of playing professional football seemed far out of reach. Despite working hard to prove himself, he faced rejection from college programs, criticism over his playing style and constant doubts about whether he was good enough to succeed at the highest level. However, Allen refused to give up and continued working on his game, eventually earning his place in the NFL. Growing up in Firebaugh, California, Josh Allen was surrounded by farm life. His family owned a cotton farm, and he spent much of his childhood helping with the work while developing his love for football. He played for Firebaugh High School, but despite his efforts, college recruiters did not show much interest in him. It was a moment that showed the confidence and physical strength he brought to the field. The road to becoming a successful NFL quarterback took more than a strong arm. Allen had to prove that he could become a better passer and make smarter decisions under pressure. His improvement over the next few seasons changed how people viewed him. His performances continued to improve, and he became one of the most important players in the Bills’ plans. “I’d like to thank the Bills organization, Terry and Kim Pegula, Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott, thank you guys for drafting me seven and a half years ago.
It feels just like yesterday, it really does.”
He also took the unusual step of emailing around 1,000 college coaches to ask for an opportunity. Instead of walking away from football, Allen decided to take another route. He joined Reedley College, a junior college in California, where he continued working towards his goal. Most of those messages did not lead anywhere. However, his efforts eventually brought him two Division I offers, one from Eastern Michigan and another from Wyoming.
He joined the Cowboys in 2015 and began showing why he deserved a chance at a higher level of college football. During the 2018 NFL Draft, they traded up from the 12th position to select Allen with the seventh overall pick. During his rookie season in 2018, Allen threw 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions while starting 11 games. His progress became clear during a Week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Because of an elbow injury, he also missed four games. Because it came after years of questions about whether he could become a reliable quarterback, the award was especially meaningful.
He also made it clear that he saw the award as something bigger than an individual achievement, saying, “I know this is an individual award and it says Most Valuable Player on it, but I think it’s derived from team success, and I love my team. When he finished high school, Allen received no Division I scholarship offers. For a young player who dreamed of playing college football at the highest level, it was a difficult situation to accept. He had the ability and the ambition, but the opportunities he wanted were simply not coming. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl gave Allen the opportunity that changed his career. Allen’s time at Wyoming helped him get noticed by NFL teams. His strong arm, size and ability to move with the ball made him an interesting prospect, although questions about his accuracy remained. The Buffalo Bills saw enough potential to make a big decision. However, being a first-round selection did not mean everyone trusted him. Many questioned whether a quarterback from a smaller college program could handle the pressure of the NFL. His early performances also gave critics reasons to doubt him. His passing accuracy became one of the biggest talking points around his game. But Allen did not allow those early struggles to decide his future. He worked on his throwing technique, decision-making and ability to read defenses. The player who once struggled to attract college recruiters had now reached the highest level of individual recognition in the NFL. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Allen’s story is not simply about becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick or winning an MVP award. It is about what happened before those achievements and how he handled the difficult years along the way. He could have stopped playing football after receiving no major college offers. He could have accepted the early criticism in Buffalo as proof that he was not good enough. Instead, he kept working on his game and took every opportunity seriously. His journey also shows how important one opportunity can be. Craig Bohl gave him a chance at Wyoming, and the Buffalo Bills later trusted him with their seventh overall draft pick. Allen made those decisions count through his performances. The difference is that he no longer has to ask anyone to believe in his ability. His career has given him the chance to prove it himself. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Today, he is the same player who once sent hundreds of emails hoping someone would give him a chance.