What Linebacker CJ Allen Must Do for Georgia Football in 2025

What Linebacker CJ Allen Must Do for Georgia Football in 2025

As the University of Georgia football team gears up for the 2025 season, all eyes are on the Bulldogs’ defense—especially the linebacker corps. Under head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia has consistently produced one of the most dominant defenses in college football, and the linebacker position has been a focal point of that success. In 2025, one player who will play a crucial role in continuing that legacy is CJ Allen, an emerging star in the middle of Georgia’s defense.

CJ Allen, a highly ranked recruit from the 2024 class, made a strong impression during his freshman year and is now poised to take on a leadership role in 2025. While the future looks bright for the young linebacker, there is a lot that CJ Allen must do to fulfill his potential and help Georgia maintain its position as a national powerhouse. From improving his skills to stepping up as a leader, Allen’s development in 2025 will be a key factor in the Bulldogs’ success.

In this article, we will break down what CJ Allen must do for Georgia football in 2025, highlighting the key areas where he must improve and the expectations placed on him as he continues his growth within the program. We will also examine how his skills fit into Georgia’s defensive scheme, what leadership responsibilities he will take on, and how he can help the Bulldogs achieve their goals on the field.

The Transition from Freshman to Sophomore

The transition from freshman to sophomore year is one of the most critical periods in a college football player’s development. For many players, it’s a time when they go from being newcomers to becoming integral parts of the team. CJ Allen, who showed flashes of his potential as a freshman, will need to build on that foundation in 2025 and elevate his game to new heights. The expectations for a player with his talent are high, and as he enters his second year, Allen must demonstrate that he can handle the pressure of being a leader on one of the most successful defensive units in the country.

One of the first things Allen must do is become more consistent. In his freshman season, Allen undoubtedly showed moments of brilliance, but there were times when he struggled with the speed and complexity of the college game. In 2025, he will need to refine his technique, improve his decision-making, and reduce mistakes. Playing linebacker at a school like Georgia requires sharp instincts, solid fundamentals, and the ability to react quickly to changing situations. Allen must continue to build his football IQ and anticipate plays before they unfold. The more consistent he is in his execution, the more valuable he will be to Georgia’s defense.

Developing Leadership Skills

As one of the top recruits in his class, CJ Allen enters the 2025 season with the weight of high expectations on his shoulders. One of the key responsibilities he must take on is leadership. The linebacker position at Georgia has been a breeding ground for future NFL talent, and Allen will be expected to step into a leadership role among his peers.

Georgia’s linebacking corps is known for its ability to communicate and work cohesively as a unit. The defense operates as a synchronized machine, with each player understanding their role and making quick decisions. As a linebacker, Allen will need to help orchestrate the defense from the field, ensuring that the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary are all on the same page. He will need to develop the ability to read offenses quickly, make calls at the line of scrimmage, and ensure that his teammates are aligned and ready for the snap.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, leadership also involves holding teammates accountable. As a sophomore, Allen will need to find his voice in the locker room, establish trust among his teammates, and lead by example both on and off the field. He must be willing to push himself and his teammates to continually improve, especially as Georgia faces some of the toughest competition in the SEC. Becoming a vocal leader and setting the tone for the team will be one of the most important aspects of Allen’s development.

Improving Run Defense and Tackling Ability

One area where CJ Allen must continue to grow in 2025 is in his run defense and tackling technique. While Allen has shown solid fundamentals as a tackler, there is always room for improvement. The linebacker position is vital in defending the run, and in the SEC, where many teams feature powerful rushing attacks, Allen’s ability to fill gaps and make open-field tackles will be crucial.

Allen must focus on gap integrity, which means maintaining his position and responsibility within the defense when stopping the run. He’ll need to improve his ability to diagnose running plays quickly, identify offensive linemen pulling or down-blocking, and then shed blockers effectively to make tackles. At the next level, Allen will face larger, faster, and stronger offensive linemen and running backs, so improving his strength and ability to shed blocks will be key.

Additionally, tackling in space will be an area of focus for Allen. He will need to improve his open-field tackling, making sure he can wrap up and bring down ball carriers in difficult situations. As Georgia’s linebacker corps faces off against fast, elusive running backs, Allen must be able to rely on his speed and technique to prevent big gains. One of his goals for 2025 should be to develop more consistent, secure tackling techniques to avoid giving up extra yards after contact.

Coverage Skills and Pass Rush

While Allen is known for his prowess against the run, he will also need to improve his coverage skills in 2025. The modern linebacker is expected to be a versatile defender, capable of both defending against the run and covering receivers or tight ends in the passing game. With the increased prevalence of passing offenses in college football, linebackers are tasked with matching up against fast and athletic players who run routes in the open field.

Allen will need to focus on improving his ability to cover tight ends, running backs, and even wide receivers on passing plays. Understanding offensive routes, keeping his eyes on the quarterback, and positioning himself to make plays in the air will be critical for Allen in 2025. Being able to create turnovers by intercepting passes or deflecting throws can elevate Allen’s game to the next level and make him an even more valuable player for the Georgia defense.

In addition to coverage, Allen must continue to develop his pass rush ability. Georgia’s defense has always been aggressive and relentless, and linebackers are often asked to blitz and put pressure on the quarterback. Whether it’s on a designed pass rush or as part of a zone blitz scheme, Allen must hone his pass-rushing technique, increasing his ability to get after the quarterback. This will add another dimension to his game and make him even more difficult for opposing offenses to handle.

Working with Georgia’s Elite Defensive Coaching Staff

One of the biggest advantages CJ Allen has as he prepares for the 2025 season is the elite coaching staff at Georgia. Under the tutelage of Kirby Smart, Glenn Schumann, and Will Muschamp, Georgia’s defensive players receive some of the best coaching in the country. These coaches specialize in developing defensive players, particularly at the linebacker position. Allen will have access to some of the best resources and coaching available, and he must take full advantage of that opportunity.

Georgia’s linebacker coaches are known for their ability to work with players on all aspects of the position. Whether it’s refining fundamentals, teaching advanced techniques, or improving mental toughness, Allen will have the guidance he needs to take his game to the next level. His ability to absorb coaching, apply what he learns on the field, and make improvements week after week will be essential to his development as one of Georgia’s top linebackers.