Looking back, it’s absolutely laughable that Chicago Bears LB/DE Khalil Mack was only a 2-star recruit coming out of high school.

Mack ended up at Buffalo, where he became a first-round pick and is now the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. For another former 2-star recruit — Kentucky LB Josh Allen — Mack’s story is one he wants to emulate.

Through six games, Allen currently has six sacks — good for fourth in the SEC. On Wednesday, Allen described his relationship with Mack, who he converses with on Twitter and over the phone, and said Mack is very complimentary of his game (via 247Sports):

“He told me my game is further than his was in college,” Allen said. “That motivated me right there. But to get where he’s at and eventually be better than him is the goal.”

Obviously, Allen has a long way to go to reach that goal, but with the way he’s playing this year, he should at least be a first-round pick.

From there, maybe Mack will take him under his wing in the NFL and help him reach his full potential.