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Allen continues to grow as senior
Ben Jones | Editor
Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) leaps over a defender to sack Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight.
Gary Cosby Jr. | The Tuscaloosa News
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. Heād helped produce a national championship and two conference titles. His honors and awards included two years of being named first-team All-SEC.
Somehow, heās found ways to do even more as a senior.
His big plays ā like his flying sack of Texas A&Mās Trevor Knight ā are getting him more attention. Thatās not where heās proving his value, though.
āLast year, because we had a lot of depth, Jonathan didnāt have to play all the circumstances in the games,ā UA coach Nick Saban said. āWe 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.
āBut this year heās having to play in all phases of the game and has done really well, whether weāre playing against a running team or whether heās been called upon to pass rush or whatever itās been. I would say that we had confidence that he could do all those things a year ago. He didnāt have to do them as often. But heās accepted the role of what heās had to do on this yearās team. Heās done extremely well both run and pass.ā
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 hasnāt tailed off despite the bigger role on first and second down. Heās also become one of the cornerstones of the locker room.
Those were all goals of his. And itās all going to plan so far.
āIām way more consistent playing against the run,ā he said. āThatās 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 Iāve had success doing that so far.ā
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.
Heās getting even more than heād bargained for: Heās 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 Alabamaās last game when he scored his second touchdown of the year. His highlight-reel sack helped, too.
āItās kind of irrelevant to me,ā Allen said of the Heisman talk. āI just want to win a national championship. Thatās all I care about. Thatās all I ever wanted to do, to be honest. I am just focused on winning this next game.ā
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. Theyāre happy whenever Allen gets his chances against anyone outside of practice.
āHeās really tough,ā left guard Ross Pierschbacher said. āHeās a really talented player and he can play kind of anywhere on the D-line. I donāt really like it when he lines up at three technique ā theyāll have him in passing situations come inside and thatās not really fun. I canāt imagine getting him in a game situation and heās going full speed. Thatād be pretty tough to stop.ā
LSU is the kind of game for which Allen and the defensive linemen. The Tigersā 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. Heāll have to be an even bigger part this year.
āI feel like I am playing more complete than I was last year,ā he said. āBut itās all about focusing though. I have to continue to progress.ā
Reach Ben Jones at ben@tidesports.com or 205-722-0196.
TideSports.com - Allen continues to grow as senior
Ben Jones | Editor
Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) leaps over a defender to sack Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight.
Gary Cosby Jr. | The Tuscaloosa News
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. Heād helped produce a national championship and two conference titles. His honors and awards included two years of being named first-team All-SEC.
Somehow, heās found ways to do even more as a senior.
His big plays ā like his flying sack of Texas A&Mās Trevor Knight ā are getting him more attention. Thatās not where heās proving his value, though.
āLast year, because we had a lot of depth, Jonathan didnāt have to play all the circumstances in the games,ā UA coach Nick Saban said. āWe 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.
āBut this year heās having to play in all phases of the game and has done really well, whether weāre playing against a running team or whether heās been called upon to pass rush or whatever itās been. I would say that we had confidence that he could do all those things a year ago. He didnāt have to do them as often. But heās accepted the role of what heās had to do on this yearās team. Heās done extremely well both run and pass.ā
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 hasnāt tailed off despite the bigger role on first and second down. Heās also become one of the cornerstones of the locker room.
Those were all goals of his. And itās all going to plan so far.
āIām way more consistent playing against the run,ā he said. āThatās 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 Iāve had success doing that so far.ā
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.
Heās getting even more than heād bargained for: Heās 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 Alabamaās last game when he scored his second touchdown of the year. His highlight-reel sack helped, too.
āItās kind of irrelevant to me,ā Allen said of the Heisman talk. āI just want to win a national championship. Thatās all I care about. Thatās all I ever wanted to do, to be honest. I am just focused on winning this next game.ā
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. Theyāre happy whenever Allen gets his chances against anyone outside of practice.
āHeās really tough,ā left guard Ross Pierschbacher said. āHeās a really talented player and he can play kind of anywhere on the D-line. I donāt really like it when he lines up at three technique ā theyāll have him in passing situations come inside and thatās not really fun. I canāt imagine getting him in a game situation and heās going full speed. Thatād be pretty tough to stop.ā
LSU is the kind of game for which Allen and the defensive linemen. The Tigersā 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. Heāll have to be an even bigger part this year.
āI feel like I am playing more complete than I was last year,ā he said. āBut itās all about focusing though. I have to continue to progress.ā
Reach Ben Jones at ben@tidesports.com or 205-722-0196.
TideSports.com - Allen continues to grow as senior
