Allen preparing for NFL Draft at Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Photos: GSSI

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Apr 20 11:17:34 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON – The 2012 NFL Draft is just a little under a week away, and former Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen Dwayne Allen

RS Jr. Tight End

#83 6-3, 255

Fayetteville, NC

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However, instead of sequestering himself in a gym somewhere, Allen has been working out and learning at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute in Illinois alongside former rivals Luke Keuchly (Boston College LB) and South Carolina defensive lineman Melvin Ingram.

Allen said he has been learning key components that will help him on the next level.

“Down here at GSSI, they are all about improving performance, and it isn’t just about improving it now but for the long-term,” Allen said. “I am learning how to take care of my body and how to fuel my body. I am also learning how to work out my eyes, and improve my eyesight. I am learning discipline in the weight room. I have never seen any facility like it. Coming down here to work with them has been great for me, because I have been able to work with their scientists and learn more of the right things to do.”

Allen said learning even more about nutrition and how to fuel his body has been an eye-opener.

“That was something I didn’t understand in college until my later years, but it is very important,” Allen said. “It keeps you performing better and longer. What is your salt intake versus what you put out -that is one of the things I have been working on down here. What are my carbohydrates what , what are my metabolic levels before and after I work out? It’s learning things like that.”

He said each study is tailored to each individual athlete.

“We actually did a study on how much I lose when I work out or when I play,” he said. “And when I work out, I am losing close to a liter and a half and I need to be replenishing that every hour. I need to do that in every workout and in every game. And that made me think about my teammates back in Clemson – they need to understand that and hydrate themselves during practice so they can perform better.”

Allen finished by saying the NFL Draft is never far from his mind.

“It has gotten to the point where I just want them to tell me where I am going,” he said. “I want to know where I am going to be living geographically. I am excited about it, but ready for it to be over at the same time.”