Drafting Georgia LB C.J. Allen would make Joe smile.
Joe cannot put his finger on it, but there are some traits for linebackers that just jump off a screen.
Maybe it’s the form-fitting tackling. Maybe it is the heat-seeking missile-like ability to see the ballcarrier, put your laser dot on him and run and hit.
The above is how Joe describes Georgia inside linebacker C.J. Allen. Watching tape of this guy reminds Joe of the old Penn State linebackers who played perfect fundamental football. Always had their shoulders square to the line. Rarely out of position. Quick to fill a hole.
That’s Allen’s game. His video should be included on instructional videos on how to tackle. And man, that is such a skill that is lacking in today’s game.
One guy who tackles will, still, despite being an old man on a football field is Lavonte David. He’s lost his elite speed but he knows what to do when he meets a ballcarrier.
Allen is expected to be drafted late in the first round. The Bucs draft at No. 15, which may be reachy for Allen.
But Joe can dream and Joe asked Allen this week at the combine at the Indiana Convention Center what it would mean to him if he could play a year (or two?) next to David.
David is still undecided about playing this fall, but darn if he isn’t still working out at One Buc Palace, so Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht told WDAE-AM 620/FM 95.3 this week.
“It would definitely mean a lot,” Allen said. “Lavonte David is the blueprint for what he means to that organization. It would mean a lot learning from him.”
Joe loved that answer. Allen didn’t speak about playing for David. He said, “learning from” David. It seems Allen’s head is screwed on right.
Whether David plays or not, Joe would not collapse in outrage if the Bucs selected Allen in the first round. How can you go wrong with a Kirby Smart linebacker?
C.J. Allen | LB | UGA
6’1 , 235 lbs
2025 Stats:
• 88 Total Tackles | 47 Solo
• 3.5 Sacks | 2 FF | 8 TFLs
• 39 Defensive Stops
• 257 cov. snaps | 288 allowed receiving | 93.9 allowed passer rate
+ Plus athlete , Down here ILB that shows flashes of elite ability of reading,… pic.twitter.com/68HkCoPa1o
— 4MR Fetti 🫡💙🖤 (@trappanthers) February 9, 2026