On Monday afternoon, University of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen announced that he is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. The NFL Draft will take place April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Many experts predict that Allen will be drafted in the first or second rounds.
Allen is a graduate of Lamar County High School, part of the Class of 2023. While wearing the Trojan uniform, Allen was a standout athlete and leader in multiple sports, particularly on the football field. He was also regarded by his teachers as an outstanding student who valued academics and consistently demonstrated strong character.
On December 7, 2022, Allen signed to continue his football career at the University of Georgia, enrolling early to begin his life as a college football player and to help the Bulldogs prepare for a national championship run.
When Allen arrived on campus, Georgia was in the College Football Playoff and eventually defeated Texas Christian University on January 10, 2023, to earn the national championship. Georgia routed the Horned Frogs 65–7, and in his postgame press conference, head coach Kirby Smart went out of his way to credit a group that rarely receives attention—the defensive scout team.
Although Allen was not yet eligible to play in the game, Smart credited him on national television for his role in helping Georgia prepare. Allen spent the week studying and mimicking TCU linebacker Jamoi Hodges on the scout team.
The following is Smart’s quote from that night:
Somebody write a really good article Because our defensive scout team did the most unbelievable job. When we got to TCU, I called them all in. I had the coaches meet [the defensive scout team]. We made them meet and become [the TCU] defense, and we said, “We’re gonna do it better than they do it. You’re gonna watch tape. You’re gonna sit in here. You’re gonna learn how to do it.”
We had a guy—CJ Allen—that was number six. He did it as good as they did it. … We had guys be their guys and do their defense exactly right, and to the last day we were walking through in there, they were giving an unbelievable look that set our offense up for success. Scout team makes a difference, and we had a hell of a scout team to give [the Georgia offense] a look.
Allen went on to build an exceptional on-field career at Georgia. As a true freshman in 2023, he saw significant playing time, particularly after the injury to Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and quickly proved he belonged in the Southeastern Conference. He finished the season with 41 tackles and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
His role continued to grow over the next two seasons. Allen recorded 76 tackles as a sophomore and followed that with 88 tackles as a junior, becoming one of the most recognizable leaders of Georgia’s defense. This season, he emerged as one of the best linebackers in college football, earning first-team All-SEC honors, being named an AP All-American, and finishing as a finalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.
Even with all of this success, Allen has not forgotten his Lamar County roots. He has hosted multiple charitable events to provide toys for local families at Christmas. In addition, Allen has hosted two youth football camps at Trojan Field, allowing local children to develop their football skills while cultivating a love for the game.
A fan favorite in Athens, the appreciation for Allen has only grown as he has become more dependable and respected across the country.
And now, with his college career complete and his next chapter ahead, Allen is ready to take the next step. He publicly announced his decision by saying,
Wearing these colors meant something to me, and I never took that responsibility lightly. This experience has played a major role in shaping me, not only as a player, but as a man, and has prepared me for the next step ahead. With faith and purpose, and as this chapter comes to a close, I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
