University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com
Colby Allen Set to Sign Free Agent Deal with Tampa Bay Rays
7/13/2026 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Right-handed pitcher Colby Allen, who finished his four-year Southern Miss career in the top five in appearances, wins and saves, is expected to sign a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Allen, a two-time All-American and three-time ABCA All-South Regional selection, also garnered second team All-Sun Belt and was a member of the Sun Belt All-Tournament team this past spring.
He finished his collegiate career with 92 appearances, which ranks fifth on the school career chart, while also tallying 24 wins and 21 saves in his career, which is listed at No. 4 and No. 5 at the school, respectively.
Allen opened the season as a starting pitcher and transitioned into a high leverage reliever midway through the year as he appeared in 24 games with five starts. His statistics included a 7-2 record with a 3.05 ERA and a pair of saves. He ended the year with 90 strikeouts and walked 18 in 73 2/3 innings. In 220 career innings, Allen collected 264 strikeouts and just 57 walks.
During his senior campaign, Allen battled All-American Jackson Flora from UCSB – the No. 4 overall pick by the San Francisco Giants, in the season opener and allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings with no walks and three strikeouts. Allen went on to pitch at least five innings in four of his five starts, including a six-inning start versus North Alabama (3/6) in which he collected a win. He also pitched six innings in relief on championship Sunday in the Sun Belt Tournament, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts in a win over Troy (5/24), to help send the Golden Eagles to the title tilt versus Louisiana.
Allen also registered a season-high seven strikeouts against both App State (3/27) and ULM (5/2), both coming in relief, while winning seven decisions in a row at one point during the year.
He joins 2026 teammate Joey Urban to get the chance to play professionally. Urban was chosen in the ninth round Sunday by the Toronto Blue Jays (pick No. 282).
Allen, a two-time All-American and three-time ABCA All-South Regional selection, also garnered second team All-Sun Belt and was a member of the Sun Belt All-Tournament team this past spring.
He finished his collegiate career with 92 appearances, which ranks fifth on the school career chart, while also tallying 24 wins and 21 saves in his career, which is listed at No. 4 and No. 5 at the school, respectively.
Allen opened the season as a starting pitcher and transitioned into a high leverage reliever midway through the year as he appeared in 24 games with five starts. His statistics included a 7-2 record with a 3.05 ERA and a pair of saves. He ended the year with 90 strikeouts and walked 18 in 73 2/3 innings. In 220 career innings, Allen collected 264 strikeouts and just 57 walks.
During his senior campaign, Allen battled All-American Jackson Flora from UCSB – the No. 4 overall pick by the San Francisco Giants, in the season opener and allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings with no walks and three strikeouts. Allen went on to pitch at least five innings in four of his five starts, including a six-inning start versus North Alabama (3/6) in which he collected a win. He also pitched six innings in relief on championship Sunday in the Sun Belt Tournament, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts in a win over Troy (5/24), to help send the Golden Eagles to the title tilt versus Louisiana.
Allen also registered a season-high seven strikeouts against both App State (3/27) and ULM (5/2), both coming in relief, while winning seven decisions in a row at one point during the year.
He joins 2026 teammate Joey Urban to get the chance to play professionally. Urban was chosen in the ninth round Sunday by the Toronto Blue Jays (pick No. 282).
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