EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota has added a fresh face — and former first-rounder — to its defensive line.

The Vikings announced Tuesday they've signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Initially the 17^th overall pick in 2017, Allen spent his first eight NFL seasons with Washington.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Allen started 108 of 109 games played for the Commanders. Last season, he partially tore his left pectoral muscle in Week 6 and was anticipated to miss the remainder of the season; however, he was activated off Injured Reserve prior to Washington's Week 17 game against the Falcons. Allen played in the Commanders final two regular-season games, as well as their three postseason contests.

He totaled 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and seven QB hits during the 2024 season.

Here are five things to know about the new Vikings defensive lineman:

1. Impressive résumé

Allen has plenty of accolades to his name, including Pro Bowl nods following the 2021 and 2022 seasons, over which he totaled 16.5 sacks.

Prior to starting his NFL career, Allen was a standout for Alabama from 2013-16. He played in 13 games as a true freshman and by his sophomore campaign played in all 14 games and made 12 starts. That season, he recorded 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks en route to earning First-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He started all 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2015 and helped the team win the College Football Playoff National Championship over Clemson. Allen received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award for his senior season performance. He also was named the 2016 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American.

Allen was named to the All-SEC First Team three straight years (2014-16).

2. Shined early on

Allen attended Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia, where he racked up 308 tackles and 44 sacks during his high school career. As a senior, he was named Virginia's Gatorade Football Player of the Year.

A five-star recruit and ranked among the top players in his class, Allen committed to play for the University of Alabama.

3. Overcame childhood adversity

Allen and his older brother, Richard Allen III, as children lived with their mother, who battled mental illness, while their father was deployed in the Republic of South Korea as a nuclear biological chemical warfare specialist.

When Allen was just 8 or 9 years old, child protective services removed him and Richard from their mother's home and placed them in foster care, where they spent 10 months as his father fought for full custody of his sons.

"After more than a year of the custody battle, he won. We won," Allen reflected in an NFL.com feature that linked with Salute to Service in November 2021.

Allen said though difficult, the process showed him at a young age he was "worth fighting for" and that he and his brother were deeply loved.

4. Passionate about giving back

Because of his own experience in the foster care system and navigating difficult times, Allen is committed to making a difference for those who also are facing challenging circumstances.

He and his wife Hannah got involved in Washington with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a D.C.-area nonprofit that helps youth experiencing homelessness.

"We not only wanted to give money and resources; we also wanted to give time," Allen said in 2021. "At the end of the day, kids who are going through trauma need to know — and should know — people are in their corner."

5. Gave his wife 1^st interception ball

Allen snagged his first career interception in 2022, when the Commanders defeated the Bears at Soldier Field.

More than 30 family members attended the game, as Hannah is a native of Champaign, Illinois. Among them was her elderly grandfather, who was attending his first-ever game of Allen's.

After Allen picked off Justin Fields, he ran over to the stands and gave the ball to Hannah.