Amos Allen: A Chip off the Old Block?

Amos Allen graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2007, which was a year after star Stefan Logan left.

After Logan's failed NFL stint with the Miami Dolphins, he headed northwest to the BC Lions. Joining him there was his Pop Warner friend, Amos Allen.

Allen and Logan first met as kids in Miami, Fla., and were both neglected by Division I-A NCAA teams.

Logan went on to go to play at South Dakota, only to have Allen follow him there.

After going undrafted in 2007 and joining the Dolphins practice squad midway through 2007, he joined the BC Lions for 2008.

Allen, on the other hand, also went undrafted, and instead of waiting joined his childhood friend in the Lions backfield.

Logan went on to start for the team, while Allen was cut in training camp.

In 2009, Logan signed on with the Pittsburgh Steelers while Allen tried to follow up Logan's performance and re-joined the BC Lions.

However, for the second straight year, he was cut by the Lions in training camp.

On the other hand, Logan made the Steelers' final roster as a kick returner and debuted last Thursday.

Allen finally made a team, joining the Toronto Argonauts, and debuted on Friday, a season after Logan made his debut.

Logan was the return specialist for the Steelers while Allen shared returning duties with rookie wideout Jason Carter.

Throughout their respective careers, they both got shunned from opportunities and were forced to work for them.

Logan started for the South Dakota Coyotes in 2006, Allen in 2007.

While Logan starred for the Lions in 2008, Allen first played in 2009 and has yet to make a major impact.

However, if Toronto running back Jamal Robertson were to go down, Allen would step in and take all or most of the carries.

If he makes an impact in the return game and in the backfield, don't be surprised to see Allen follow up Logan once again and join an NFL team a special teamer.

CFL: Is Fred Reid the Next Stefan Logan?

Ex-BC Lions running back Stefan Logan signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a 1,366 all-purpose yard season.

The year before the South Dakota product signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in November 2007 and spent the rest of the year on their practice squad.

Logan then headed north of the border with the BC Lions where he put together a 122 rushing attempts, 889 rushing yard, 52 catch and a 477 receiving yard season.

He added three touchdowns (all receiving) and four fumbles (all while rushing) to his season totals.

Following 2008, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he's battling for a roster spot as a return specialist.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Fred Reid on the other hand played his college football at Mississippi State, which is no South Dakota but following the draft also went selected.

Just like Logan he bolted for south Florida but headed towards the shore with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005.

He was cut before the season, and didn't play football in 2006.

After star linebacker Barrin Simpson recommended Reid to the Bombers front office guys, they brought him into camp and obviously showed enough to keep a spot on the roster.

As a rookie in 2007 Reid got 40 carries, 270 rushing yards, two touchdowns and eight catches for 120 yards.

Playing in Joe Smith and Charles Roberts's shadow again in 2008, he still managed to get 101 carries and 709 yards with three scores.

Reid added 13 catches for 96 yards to his 2008 totals.

Now, Logan obviously had the better 2008, but Reid is on pace to shatter Logan's 2008 season.

After eight games in 2009, he has 115 rushes (seven less than Logan in a full season) and 795 rushing yards (93 less than Logan in 2008).

Not only are Reid's stats better in three years than Logan in one, they similar in body size.

Reid 5'8", Logan is 5'7" while they're both speedy 185 pound backs.

Because of these similarities, I'd be very surprised to not see Reid get an NFL shot as a kick returner or even a backup running back.