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CJ Allen, an All-American Georgia football linebacker this past season as a junior, has declared for the NFL Draft.
The decision by the 6-foot-1, 235-pounder who started 30 games over three seasons was widely expected. He announced his intentions on his Instagram account.
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Allen led Georgia this season with 88 tackles and 8 tackles for loss and had 3.5 sacks during a junior year when he made a quick recovery from a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup just one game.
The Barnesville native was second on the Bulldogs in 2024 with 76 tackles.
He’s the third Georgia underclassmen after defensive lineman Christen Miller and wide receiver Zachariah Branch to announces intentions to enter the draft.
Allen was a Butkus Award finalist this season for nation’s top linebacker.
Allen was projected as the No. 27th overall pick in a mock draft by Dane Brugler of The Athletic in December.
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“He is quick to read and fly to the football, plays with the punch to work off blockers and rarely misses tackles,” Brugler wrote. “Scouts say Allen’s competitive energy is the lifeblood of Georgia’s defense.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football's CJ Allen on his stay-or-go decision for 2026
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