Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) walks on the field during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports A look at Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
Jonathan Allen may have been the star of the stout 2016 Alabama team. An Alabama team that won all but the National Championship in 2016. Allen is a complete player. He is very athletic rushing from the inside and even rushed the passer from the outside. He is athletic rushing the passer and shows some moves for an interior guy. He also is a violent hand fighter and a decent motor. His football IQ is good and was able to use that to make splash plays. What you have to like is he was often pushing the pocket and had success in one on one battles in the SEC. He also showed good vision, being able to pick up screens, and had the awareness to get his hands up to block passes in the quarterback’s line of vision. I liked not only how persistent Allen was not only at getting past the lineman, but also Allen’s hustle when the defense got beat for a long play. There is a lot to like about Allen’s game.
There was one way Allen often got beat and that was when he tried to play too upright. Linemen were able to block him if they were able to get up underneath him. He seemed to have a bit of a tendency to do that, but I would not say that it was an ongoing issue. In fact, I think this is a technique issue that NFL coaches can fix. The other question is how does Allen fit into a defense? Allen was such a star at Alabama they could set him up on the edge, in the four technique, and even in the two gap. His size plays more to a three to five technique so I think he could be best used in a traditionally odd front. He is a bit small to be a two-gap interior lineman, but I still think he could do the job if asked.
Allen is pro-ready and should be an early first-round pick. The question is whose scheme will he fit. His draft position will be determined by the team picking having the right scheme for Allen to succeed in. I would think the team that drafts him will want him to play the five technique in base and then move inside to the three technique in the nickel. He will succeed in both of those roles. Allen was also a captain at Alabama and seems to have a mature outlook on life. He will succeed in the NFL.
References:
Allen, Jonathan. “Goodbye, Alabama.” The Players Tribune. The Players’ Tribune, Inc., 28 Feb. 2017. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.
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