ATHENS, Ga. — CJ Allen let his tape do the talking on Wednesday. The Georgia linebacker and 2025 consensus All-American officially declined to run the 40-yard dash or participate in athletic testing during the Bulldogs’ Pro Day. Instead, the draft’s top-ranked linebacker focused entirely on positional drills, leaving NFL scouts with questions about his long-term health just weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft.
The decision to skip the stopwatch wasn’t about speed. Sources confirmed that Allen is battling persistent swelling in his knee, a direct result of his aggressive recovery late last season. Allen tore his meniscus during a slugfest against the Texas Longhorns in November 2025. While most players would have folded for the season, Allen underwent surgery and returned to the starting lineup only 13 days later to face Georgia Tech.
That toughness defined his college career, but it’s now the primary hurdle for his professional transition. After sitting out testing at the NFL Combine in February, Allen needed a clean bill of health in Athens. Instead, the lingering swelling forced a “calculated risk” to protect his knee while showing scouts he still has the fluid hips and instinctive range that made him a star in the SEC.
During the drills, the tension in the facility was thick. However, Allen moved with the same violence and precision that helped him rack up 126 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks over 41 career games. Scouts from all 32 teams watched closely as he navigated bags and dropped into coverage. The feedback was largely positive: he looks like a pro, even if he isn’t 100%.
“CJ is a warrior. Most guys are still on crutches two weeks after a meniscus trim, and he was out there thumping running backs. The swelling is just the body reminding him he’s human, but his brain and his motor are still top-five at the position.”
— Anonymous AFC Scouting Director
Allen is betting big on his resume. His production—205 total tackles and a forced fumble recovery—speaks for itself. He has the “green dot” leadership qualities that NFL defensive coordinators crave. Teams like the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders, both of whom sent heavy representation to Athens, have seen enough on Saturdays to know he can play.
The real battle now moves from the field to the exam room. NFL front offices will pour over his medical re-checks to ensure that the late-season swelling isn’t a sign of degenerative issues. If the medicals clear, Allen remains a lock for the first round. If not, a slide into the early second round becomes a real possibility for a player who gave everything to the Bulldogs in 2025.
