Kirby Smart praises CJ Allen's behind-the-scenes work ethic as Georgia gears up for the 2025 season

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart doesn’t hand out compliments lightly, especially not unless they’re earned through hard work.

But during SEC Media Days in Atlanta this week, Smart made a point to recognize the relentless behind-the-scenes effort linebacker C.J. Allen has been putting in day after day. 

"C.J. Allen is a rising junior and one of the best leaders we've had in our program at linebacker. He is from Barnesville, Georgia, right down the road, and is a tremendous leader," Smart said. 

"Quick story about C.J.: My son needed to get treatment for the last couple months, and he would come in the office every morning around 6:50, 6:55 to get treatment at 7:00 so he could make it to school by 8:00, and there wasn't a morning that we got there that C.J. Allen was not already in the training room doing some kind of prehab, rehab, running, getting warmed up, taking care of injuries. He's just a relentless worker and a relentless competitor, who got to play in some big games as a freshman, probably even before he was ready, and that's paid off for us last year and this year with C.J."

Allen didn’t waste any time making an impact in Athens. After enrolling early in January 2023, he hit the ground running as a true freshman, appearing in all 14 games and earning five starts. He totaled 41 tackles (21 solo), one sack, and two tackles for loss, which earned him Freshman All-SEC honors.

In 2024, Allen took on a larger role and delivered in a big way. He started 12 of 14 games and finished second on the team with 76 total tackles (49 solo). He also added four pass breakups, an interception returned for eight yards, and posted a career-high 10 tackles in the rivalry game against Georgia Tech.

With former Georgia standouts Jalon Walker and Smael Mondon moving on to the next level, the spotlight now turns to Allen alongside Raylen Wilson to lead the Bulldogs’ linebacker unit this fall. Fortunately for Georgia, all signs point to both being more than ready to embrace the challenge.