Jonathan Allen looks to continue winning ways in the NFL
Jonathan Allen isn’t used to losing.
Over his four seasons at Alabama, the 6-foot-3, 291-pound defensive lineman posted a combined 51-6 record, including a national championship in 2015. While Allen might have grown accustomed to winning during his college career, that might change as he takes the next step.
Allen is widely thought of as a top prospect in this year’s draft class and is projected by several draft analysts to be selected as a top-five pick in the NFL Draft on April 27. That means whichever team drafts him will most likely be looking to build a championship caliber team, not maintain one.
That doesn’t seem to worry Allen one bit.
“I always believe for a team to be good they have to have a winning atmosphere, winning attitude in the locker room,” Allen told reporters during Saturday during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “So that’s going to be the first thing that I try to instill, just through my work ethic, preparation, my dedication to being excellent.”
Allen, the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Award and Lombardi Award this past season, led Alabama with 10.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries while also tallying 16 tackles for a loss during his senior season. He also recovered three fumbles, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
Those numbers, along with Allen’s physical abilities, have NFL scouts drooling. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Allen projected to go to the Chicago Bears with the No. 3 pick of the draft. However, if he can continue to impress at the NFL Combine this weekend, Allen could join the conversation alongside Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett as the No. 1 overall pick.
While that would be a welcomed honor, Allen said he’s currently focusing on improving himself as a player and will let the chips fall where they may.
“Definitely, there’s always competition in everything you do,” Allen said. “I want to go as high as I can, the competitor in me. But I want to make myself a better football player and control what I can control, not going to worry about anything else.”
Allen took a step toward cementing himself as a top pick, as he erased rising concerns over his shoulders which have both been operated on during his college career. The defensive lineman participated in the bench press, tallying 21 reps at 225 pounds. After the lift, he said he felt fine and wasn’t concerned at all about his shoulders.
“They said I have some arthritis in my left shoulder. It’s not really a problem now, but it might be a problem 15, 20 years down the road, so I’m not worried about that right now,” Allen said of what he’s heard from doctors. “I’m worried about playing good for whichever team I go to.
“I have no restrictions on anything I do. Like I said I feel good. It’s probably the best I’ve felt in the last four years. I feel good, refreshed, recharged, ready to go.”
Many figured Allen might have left for the draft after his junior season, as it was thought he could have been a first-round pick then as well. However, some scouts saw him as only a pass-rusher, limiting his value at the next level. That didn’t sit well the competitive defender.
“Not too many people considered me an every-down player and that kind of bothered me and put a chip on my shoulder,” Allen said. “So I wanted to come back and prove I could do both and do them effectively.”
Allen said the extra year also helped him mature mentally as well. On top of his statistical accolades, he was also voted by his teammates as one of the Tide’s four permanent captains last season.
“I feel like everybody has to grow up,” Allen said. “My freshman year, coming in being at the bottom of the pile. It’s hard. It’s hard for anybody, no matter what they
say, it’s always hard. You’ve just got to go in there and shut up and work. That’s what we like to say, that’s kind of what I do.”
Allen plans to bring that same intensity and work ethic to whichever team drafts him this spring. If he does that, there’s a good chance he won’t be losing much in the NFL either.
“What I bring is a winning atmosphere, winning attitude, a leader,” Allen said. “A guy who’s going to bust his butt every play, a guy who’s looking to come in and make an immediate impact in a positive way.”