Allen continues to grow as senior
Jonathan Allen had already built himself a fine resume by the end of the 2015 season if he wanted a job in the NFL. The defensive end had two years of working experience as a starter at the University of Alabama. He’d helped produce a national championship and two conference titles. His honors and awards included two years of being named first-team All-SEC.
Somehow, he’s found ways to do even more as a senior.
His big plays – like his flying sack of Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight – are getting him more attention. That’s not where he’s proving his value, though.
“Last year, because we had a lot of depth, Jonathan didn’t have to play all the circumstances in the games,” UA coach Nick Saban said. “We sort of saved him a little bit for the pass-rush situations. He played some and alternated in there and did a really good job.
“But this year he’s having to play in all phases of the game and has done really well, whether we’re playing against a running team or whether he’s been called upon to pass rush or whatever it’s been. I would say that we had confidence that he could do all those things a year ago. He didn’t have to do them as often. But he’s accepted the role of what he’s had to do on this year’s team. He’s done extremely well both run and pass.”
He has 35 total tackles through eight games, almost equaling his total of 36 in 15 games last season. His production as a pass rusher hasn’t tailed off despite the bigger role on first and second down. He’s also become one of the cornerstones of the locker room.
Those were all goals of his. And it’s all going to plan so far.
“I’m way more consistent playing against the run,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest things I wanted to focus on. Also my leadership abilities. We lost a lot of leaders last year, so I really wanted to step it up this year. And I feel like I’ve had success doing that so far.”
Allen wanted to be a better all-around player than he was in 2015. He also wanted to help compete for another championship. Both are coming to fruition as Alabama prepares to face LSU on Saturday.
He’s getting even more than he’d bargained for: He’s also getting some mention as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, though the odds of a defensive lineman getting the award remain remote. His candidacy for the award got a bump in Alabama’s last game when he scored his second touchdown of the year. His highlight-reel sack helped, too.
“It’s kind of irrelevant to me,” Allen said of the Heisman talk. “I just want to win a national championship. That’s all I care about. That’s all I ever wanted to do, to be honest. I am just focused on winning this next game.”
His teammates are more willing to talk about it. Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton said he would vote for Allen for the Heisman if he could. Offensive players are happy to see him get recognition. They’re happy whenever Allen gets his chances against anyone outside of practice.
“He’s really tough,” left guard Ross Pierschbacher said. “He’s a really talented player and he can play kind of anywhere on the D-line. I don’t really like it when he lines up at three technique – they’ll have him in passing situations come inside and that’s not really fun. I can’t imagine getting him in a game situation and he’s going full speed. That’d be pretty tough to stop.”
LSU is the kind of game for which Allen and the defensive linemen. The Tigers’ game plan figures to rely heavily on winning the line of scrimmage. Alabama got the better of that matchup in 2015 when LSU rushed for a season-low 54 yards.
Allen was a big part of that effort last year. He’ll have to be an even bigger part this year.
“I feel like I am playing more complete than I was last year,” he said. “But it’s all about focusing though. I have to continue to progress.”
Reach Ben Jones at ben@tidesports.com or 205-722-0196.