CJ Allen Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Tony Walsh/UGAAA)
School: Georgia
Class: Junior
Position: LB
HT: 6’1
WT: 230 lbs
Background: CJ Allen was a top 100 4-star linebacker in the 2023 class out of Barnesville, Georgia. Allen played both linebacker and running back for Lamar County High School. He was named Region Player of the Year in 2021 as a junior. He also played basketball and competed in track & field for Lamar County. He qualified for the GHSA state championships in shot put. Allen chose to play for the in-state Georgia Bulldogs over Tennessee, Auburn, and others.
College: Allen started 5 games and appeared in all 14 in 2023, recording 41 tackles. Allen started in 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2024, making 76 tackles and 3 TFLs. 2025 was his most productive season yet. He made 85 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks on his way to an All-SEC First Team selection.
Strengths: CJ Allen is an athletic linebacker with smooth hips that allow him to have fluid movements in coverage. He can cover tight ends who try to stretch the field by flipping his hips from a backpedal to full stride effortlessly. He has the speed to mirror wide receivers through the second level before handing them off to a defensive back. Allen tracks the quarterback’s eyes well to jump the pass and meet the ball at the target when thrown in between or around the hashmarks. As a run defender, Allen sheds blocks efficiently. He is able to move around or through offensive linemen with both finesses moves and strength at the point of attack. Allen is a consistent tackler and does well to wrap both arms around the ball carrier. He can be a defensive anchor who makes it impossible for offenses to operate in the middle of the field.
Weaknesses: Allen is not the quickest processor. Pre-snap recognition and processing is required to be an elite MIKE linebacker and he is still behind the 8-ball in those areas. This can either cause ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage to beat him or it can cause him to get lost in zone coverage. At the point of attack, Allen does not bring that signature “boom” or power that so many linebackers have trademarked throughout the years. He does not make heavy contact or strike fear into wide receivers coming across the middle.
Conclusion: CJ Allen can become an elite linebacker at the next level if he becomes a more effective pre-snap processor. Adding a good 10 pounds of muscle to his frame could help him impose his will when laying the hit stick, but it is not necessary to make him an effective tackler, as he is already productive in that category.
Best Team Fits: CHI, MIA, CAR
Player Comparison: Daiyan Henley
Player Grade: Round 2 (84.4)
