Where Did Josh Allen Play College Football? | Full Breakdown

By Emma Wilson · February 9, 2030

Josh Allen played college football at the University of Wyoming, where he developed from a relatively unknown recruit into one of the top quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Who Is Josh Allen and Where Did He Play College Football?

Josh Allen is a professional quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. He played his college football at the University of Wyoming from 2015 to 2017. Though he initially walked on to the team, Allen quickly became a standout player, showcasing elite arm strength and leadership that propelled him into the national spotlight ahead of the NFL Draft.

Josh Allen's College Football Journey

Allen's path to stardom was unconventional. After not receiving major scholarship offers out of high school in California, he began his collegiate career at Reedley College, a junior college. His performance there earned him a transfer opportunity to the University of Wyoming, a Division I FBS program in the Mountain West Conference.

Key Milestones in Allen's College Career

Transferred to Wyoming after two seasons at Reedley College
Became the starting quarterback in 2016
Declared for the NFL Draft after his redshirt junior season in 2017
Selected 7th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2018

Why Wyoming Was Pivotal for Allen's Development

The University of Wyoming provided Allen with the platform to refine his mechanics, gain exposure, and compete at a high level. Despite playing in a smaller conference, his physical tools and improvement over three seasons made him a top prospect. Scouts noted his ability to make all NFL throws, even as they critiqued his accuracy early on.

Challenges Faced at Wyoming

Allen faced skepticism due to Wyoming's limited media exposure and competition level. However, his strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine—where he posted elite athletic metrics—helped silence many doubters.

Season	Games Played	Passing Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions	Completion %
2015	11	1,495	10	7	56.2%
2016	12	2,847	16	15	57.2%
2017	13	1,812	17	6	56.0%
Career Total	36	6,154	43	28	56.5%

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows Josh Allen’s progression across his three seasons at Wyoming. While his passing yards dipped in 2017 due to improved defense and conservative play-calling, his touchdown-to-interception ratio significantly improved, reflecting better decision-making. His consistent completion percentage hovered around 56%, a point of critique but also indicative of risk-taking in a pro-style offense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Josh Allen's College Career

Did Josh Allen start college at Wyoming?

No, Josh Allen began his college football career at Reedley College, a junior college in California. He transferred to the University of Wyoming after two successful seasons there.

How many years did Josh Allen play at Wyoming?

Josh Allen played two full seasons (2016 and 2017) at Wyoming. He redshirted in 2015, meaning he practiced with the team but did not play in games, preserving a year of eligibility.

What awards did Josh Allen win in college?

While at Wyoming, Allen was named Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2017. He also finished sixth in voting for the Davey O'Brien Award, recognizing the nation's top quarterback.

Why wasn't Josh Allen more recruited out of high school?

Allen attended a small high school with limited exposure, and his physical tools weren’t fully developed yet. Many recruiters overlooked him, but his growth and performance at the junior college level changed that trajectory.

How did Josh Allen perform at the NFL Combine?

Allen delivered an outstanding performance at the 2018 NFL Combine. He ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash and threw the ball over 60 yards in the air, impressing scouts with his athleticism and arm talent despite accuracy concerns.