A. J. Allen
 Allen with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024 | |
| No. 0 – Ottawa Redblacks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Roster status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 14, 1998 Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | M. M. Robinson (Burlington, Ontario) |
| University | Guelph |
| CFL draft | 2020: 4th round, 35th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
* Offseason or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at CFL.ca | |
A. J. Allen (born April 14, 1998) is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football at Guelph.
Early life
[edit]Allen was born in Burlington, Ontario, and attended M. M. Robinson High School in Burlington.[1][2]
University career
[edit]Allen first played U Sports football for the Guelph Gryphons for four years, recording 63.5 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.[3][4] He was then selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the fourth round, with the 35th overall pick, of the 2020 CFL draft. However, the 2020 CFL season was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He officially signed with the Roughriders on January 19, 2021.[5][6] Allen did not make the team and was sent back to Guelph for another season.[3] In his fifth and final season at Guelph in 2021, Allen totaled 58 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in seven games, earning All-Canadian and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) All-Star honors. He was also named the OUA's most outstanding stand-up defensive player.[3]
Professional career
[edit]Allen re-signed with the Roughriders on December 14, 2021.[7] He was placed on injured reserve on June 17, 2022, and activated from injured reserve on July 28. He dressed in 12 games during the 2022 CFL season, recording six defensive tackles and six special teams tackles.[8][2] Allen dressed in all 18 games in 2023, accumulating 19 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles, and one pass breakup.[2] He dressed in all 18 games for the second consecutive season, starting two, in 2024, totaling seven defensive tackles, 22 special teams tackles, and one interception that he returned 48 yards for a touchdown.[2] His 22 special teams tackles tied for the league lead that year.[9] Allen had a workout with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League in December 2024.[9] He dressed in all 18 games for the third straight year, starting 17, in 2025, posting 87 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions for 10 yards, and five pass breakups.[2] He lead the team in tackles during the 2025 season.[10] On November 16, 2025, Saskatchewan won the 112th Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouettes by a score of 25–17.[11]
Allen became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 10, 2026.[12] On February 11, it was announced that he had signed a two-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ "A.J. Allen". cfl.ca. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "A.J. ALLEN". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- 1 2 3 Massey, Rob (December 20, 2021). "Gryphon linebacker focused on becoming a pro". guelphtoday.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ↑ Shire, Taylor (May 7, 2020). "Saskatchewan Roughriders draft pick A.J. Allen is poised for the pros". globalnews.ca. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ↑ "Saskatchewan Roughriders Transactions - 2020". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ↑ "'One of my whys': Riders' Allen keeps memory of friend close to his heart". ckom.com. August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ↑ "Saskatchewan Roughriders Transactions - 2021". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ↑ "Junior Allen". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- 1 2 Dunk, Justin (December 13, 2024). "Riders' Canadian LB A.J. Allen works out for Denver Broncos". 3downnation.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ↑ "2025 Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Ralph, Dan (November 16, 2025). "Roughriders force late goal-line fumble, beat Alouettes for 5th Grey Cup title". CBC.ca. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Redblacks sign linebacker A.J. Allen to two-year contract". Canadian Football League. February 11, 2026.