Earlier this week, espn.com draft analyst Todd McShay named Jonathan Allen his No. 1 defensive end prospect for the NFL class of 2017.

The University of Alabama senior came back for his senior season after an offseason shoulder surgery derailed any serious contemplation of entering the draft. Allen is a tantalizing prospect for NFL clubs, as evidenced by his team-leading 12 sacks. He was a large part of the nation’s best pass rush that led the country with 52 total sacks.

McShay gave Allen a grade of 94.

“With an excellent combination of quickness and power, Allen constantly pushes the pocket as a pass-rusher, particularly from the interior,” McShay wrote. “He has the length, frame and athletic ability to develop into an every-down NFL defensive end, regardless of scheme.”

It’s mainly Allen’s show this year, although he won’t have to carry that defensive line by himself. With the help of Davlin Tomlinson and a burgeoning talent in Da’Shawn Hand, Allen leads the Crimson Tide’s defense line that isn’t as deep as the 2015 unit. But the top end talent is as good as ever.

“It’s too early to tell right now (how it compares to last year’s),” Allen said. “We still have a lot of practices to do before the first game, so a lot of time for guys to make improvements, so it’s kind of hard to compare right now.

“I feel like we’ve got great depth along the defensive line. 1s, 2s and 3s are all playing really well right now. So I feel like we’re going to be able to rotate a lot this season.”

Allen said his shoulder is fine after an extensive rehabilitation process during the offseason. He sat out of the spring practices, working on his conditioning rather than going through drills. He added five pounds, going from 285 to 290 pounds.

Da’Ron Payne, as a freshman in 2015, showed flashes of the kind of talent he has. Allen said he’s one of the younger players that has made improvement.

“He’s definitely taken a jump well, he’s just trying to get better like we’re all trying to get better,” Allen said. “He has definitely become a little more vocal within the defense and that’s always a good thing. You can never have too many leaders. I feel like he’s been doing a good job so far.”

Another young player that has stood above the rest quite literally is true freshman Raekwon Davis, standing 6-foot-7.

There’s always a lot to learn as a freshman, but it can be all the more challenging to get leverage when you’re 6-7.

“It’s probably difficult for him, I’m not very sure,” Allen said. “But he’s doing a great job of it. As a freshman, there’s still a lot of room for improvement, and a lot of room for him to work.

“He’s just trying to get better and trying to listen to the older guys and work hard.”

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.