SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS

July 15, 2025

CJ Allen

Georgia Bulldogs

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by CJ Allen.

Q. We talked about the progression of Georgia's defense. Guys Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, now you coming into this role, being more of a leader this year. How do you hope to grow into that this season and really incorporate that, keep that dominance going?

CJ ALLEN: I think just focussing on this season. Not really too worried about the past, who was there last year, just being in tune with this season, just focusing on this process.

Q. You play for a school that's probably circled on a lot of opponents' schedules. How do you feel your team might be a target for others?

CJ ALLEN: We don't feel like we're a target. We approach every opponent the same way, no matter who we're playing. So no matter who line up versus, we're the Bulldogs, we're going to approach it the same way.

Q. What questions about Kirby Smart do you get from most people?

CJ ALLEN: I think how he is outside of being our coach is probably the biggest question I get asked.

Q. What have you seen from Gunner just basically since the end of last season that you feel like he's ready for this opportunity to be the Georgia starter?

CJ ALLEN: I think Gunner is just a great competitor. He wants to win. He comes in with his head down and working. There's just something about him.

Q. You mentioned something about him, he was up here earlier. I lost count how many "neats" he said, the word "neat," seems like he says it a lot. His "awe shucks" personality. What's it like in the locker room to have a player like that on the team?

CJ ALLEN: Having Gunner, he's a great personality to have in the locker room. He's coming in smiling, smile on his face each and every day. You know what you're going to get.

Q. What do you tell a young Georgia linebacker about the Georgia way of playing that position? I want to ask about Ellis Robinson IV. Will he contribute this season?

CJ ALLEN: I think being a linebacker at the University of Georgia, you get developed by the best, you get coached by the best, going to get pushed. You're going to know the game in and out, knowing ball and knowing your position, having to make guys around you better.

Q. You mentioned every game one at a time. But do you think that more teams consider Georgia to be rivals than you consider them to be your rival?

CJ ALLEN: That may be the case, but we just focus on who we're playing. We don't really worry about how other teams feel about us. We just focus on ourselves.

Q. C.J., mentioning rivalries, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Georgia is in a unique situation where they kind of have two. Which game means more to you?

CJ ALLEN: All of them. I think any chance you get to go out there, put your helmet on and play football, especially for Georgia, it means a lot. All the games are important to me.

Q. I know that all the teams are important, but is there one game on the schedule, or couple games, that you enjoy playing that opponent? I'm not disparaging any other opponent, of course, but some teams you like to play, maybe a former teammate on there, or you just like to play that school?

CJ ALLEN: I just like to play football. Anytime I get to go out there and play football, I enjoy that. We know these opportunities are limited. You don't get too many opportunities to go out there and play football. I think any chance you get just interests me.

Q. Is there a particular road stadium in the SEC you enjoy playing and why?

CJ ALLEN: I think anytime you go on the road in SEC, it's a good environment. Anytime you're on the road playing an SEC opponent, you're going to be in for a ride.

Q. Last year, defense had its ups and downs. What does this year's defense have to do to kind of reestablish itself as maybe one of the premier ones in the country? Can you speak to what Elo brings?

CJ ALLEN: Speaking of a defense, I think it really comes down to the little things. Our whole theme and this message this whole offseason for the whole team has been fire, passion, energy, playing with fire, passion, energy, being able to affect each other means a lot. Just coming out doing the little things.

I think Elo is just a great person. He wants to win. He wants to learn and come in and do his thing.