CJ Allen
Experience
POSITION STATS LAST SEASON
Position-Specific Grades
COMBINE RESULTS
The Takeaway
The Player
Allen is a violent, instinctive, and experienced off-the-ball linebacker whose game leans more toward substance than flash. He uncoils into blockers and plays stout for his size, flashing a powerful punch to stack and shed. Even when giving ground initially, he works off contact and finds ways to finish plays. His quick reads and strong effort show up against perimeter runs, and his reaction time makes it difficult for offensive linemen to reach him on zone concepts. His discipline stands out on tape, as he rarely vacates his gap.
His tackling production is strong—he had just three missed tackles in 2025, per PFF—athough the tape suggests that there were a few more. He still led Georgia with 41 solo stops. While he’s difficult to displace cleanly, his lighter frame can lead him to give up ground once linemen latch on. He didn’t run at the combine and doesn’t display the same closing speed as some peers in this class.
In coverage, Allen gets deep, reads the quarterback, and consistently gets his hands into passing lanes from hook/curl zones. His eight passes defended over the past two seasons reflect his awareness and ability to limit yards after the catch. His change-of-direction ability is solid, but his shorter arms and average size can show up in man coverage. As a blitzer, he’s more disruptive than his numbers indicate (3.5 sacks in 2025). He times his rush well, runs through running backs in protection, and flashes power shedding at the top of his rush. His effort carries through the down, allowing him to work free and clean up plays by tracking the quarterback.
A 30-game starter at Georgia, Allen also earned recognition off the field as a member of both the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council and the SEC Football Leadership Council.
The Draft
Georgia has had a defensive player taken in the top 50 in each of the past five drafts. That streak is now facing its biggest threat since 2024, when Kamari Lassiter went 42nd overall. Allen is a potential top-50 pick, but he’s more likely to get drafted on day two than he is to get selected in the first round.
The Projection
Allen may never be an All-Pro, but he should develop into a reliable starter early in his career. He compares favorably to Nakobe Dean, another Georgia linebacker with a high floor. They don’t wow you with their size or speed, but they are tough, instinctive, and productive.