If you’re thinking of NFL quarterbacks It’s easy to imagine high-quality players from schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, or Clemson. However, Josh Allen’s journey was not the typical one. If you’ve ever thought, “Where did Josh Allen go to college?” Here we explain about Allen’s college experience as an underdog as well as the hurdles he fought to overcome and how his college experience helped him become one of football’s most dazzling players.
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Early Days: A Quarterback With No Offers
GROWING UP Born in Firebaugh, Calif., a small farming town in the Central Valley, Josh Allen didn’t enjoy the exposure that many elite quarterbacks receive in high school. Even after accounting for 25 touchdown passes and more than 500 yards rushing his senior year, he received zero scholarship offers from D-I schools.
Recruiters often cited:
- His small-town high school competition
- His lack of national exposure
- And, ironically, a late growth spurt that hadn’t yet showcased his NFL-caliber arm
This meant that even though he had the talent, he had to carve his own way—starting at the junior college level.
Reedley College: The Launchpad
In 2014, Josh Allen enrolled at Reedley College, a junior college in California. It was here that his raw talent finally started turning heads.
In just one season, Allen threw for:
- 2,055 yards
- 26 touchdowns
- Rushed for another 6 touchdowns
He also demonstrated his deep-ball accuracy and mobility, skills that would become his trademarks in the NFL. Still, even after his breakout JUCO season, major programs remained hesitant.
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How Josh Allen Landed at the University of Wyoming
Josh Allen sent out a mass email campaign to college coaches across the country, attaching highlights and stats from Reedley. In a move that now seems like fate, Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl saw the tape and was intrigued.
Bohl, who had previously coached Carson Wentz at North Dakota State, recognized Allen’s raw potential. He offered Josh a scholarship to the University of Wyoming—his only Division I offer.
It was a bold gamble. Wyoming isn’t a traditional football powerhouse. But for Allen, it was the opportunity he’d been waiting for.
Life at the University of Wyoming: Development in the Shadows
Year One: Redshirt Season
Josh Allen joined Wyoming in 2015 and redshirted his first year. This allowed him to:
- Adjust to Division I competition
- Work on his footwork and mechanics
- Learn the system under Coach Bohl
2016: The Breakout Year (Despite Injury)
He was named the starting quarterback in 2016, but a broken collarbone in the second game almost derailed his college career. However, he bounced back and returned the following year stronger than ever.
2017 Season: NFL Scouts Take Notice
By 2017, Allen’s talent had exploded onto the national scene. In his final season at Wyoming, he threw for:
- 1,812 yards
- 16 touchdowns
- And showed a strong ability to move outside the pocket
Although those stats weren’t earth-shattering, NFL scouts were drawn to his:
- Cannon arm
- Size (6’5″, 237 lbs)
- Leadership
- Potential for growth
Draft Day: From Unknown to Top 10 Pick
Despite playing at Wyoming, Allen’s stock skyrocketed before the 2018 NFL Draft. At the NFL Combine, he stunned scouts with:
- A 62 mph throw (fastest recorded at the time)
- A 4.75-second 40-yard dash
- 33.5-inch vertical jump
The Buffalo Bills selected him 7th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
His story became one of the biggest draft surprises in years—not because of his talent, but because of where he came from.
From Wyoming to the NFL: Josh Allen’s Rise with the Buffalo Bills
Since entering the league, Allen has:
- Been selected to multiple Pro Bowls
- Led the Bills to several playoff appearances
- Broken franchise passing records
He’s widely considered one of the top quarterbacks in the league, alongside names like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.
Why Josh Allen’s College Journey Matters
Josh Allen’s story resonates with fans because it breaks the mold.
He didn’t come from a blue-blood program. He didn’t have ESPN coverage in high school. He had to:
- Fight for exposure
- Take a risk on himself
- Maximize every opportunity
His journey proves that you don’t need to attend a top-ranked college to make it big.
Final Thoughts:
Is that why you’re here asking, “Where did Josh Allen go to college?” The response is University of Wyoming. But his tale extends far beyond a point on the map.
It is a story of faith and a will to win, grit and finding your own path. Just when people think athletes can be judged by lineage and look, they are left to ponder the case of Josh Allen, who proves again how talent and character and willpower, inspiration amid hopelessness, is not merely from where it came.
Maybe he also showed up at an elementary school, but the passion and competitive spirit of Josh Allen, and his rocket right arm, led Josh Allen to the brightest stages of football.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What college did Josh Allen go to?
Josh Allen attended the University of Wyoming, where he played for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017.
❓ Did Josh Allen play for any other college?
Yes. Before Wyoming, he played one season at Reedley College, a junior college in California.
❓ How did Josh Allen get discovered by Wyoming?
He sent highlight tapes to schools across the country. Wyoming Head Coach Craig Bohl noticed his potential and offered him his only Division I scholarship.
❓ Did Josh Allen have any other offers?
No, Wyoming was the only Division I school that offered Josh Allen a scholarship.
