SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: GEORGIA VS ALABAMA

December 1, 2025

CJ Allen

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We begin with CJ Allen from Georgia.

Q. CJ, walk me through what the last two weeks have looked like post surgery from getting back on the field? How do you feel you played on Friday?

CJ ALLEN: Just been rehabbing. Definitely great to be back out there, move around and stuff like that. I mean, just rehabbing and treatment and stuff like that.

As far as playing Georgia Tech, it felt good to be out there on the field with my guys.

Q. How have you grown with Coach Schumann?

CJ ALLEN: I think I've grown tremendously from the time of my first year up to now. Felt like I have a great relationship. He just trust me with more things. Obviously I see more things, so he expect more things of me.

Q. You've been a part of a lot of winning SEC Championships at Georgia. Alabama is not a team that you have been part of a win yet. Do you think about that, looking for the first win against Alabama?

CJ ALLEN: No doubt. That's something I definitely kind of think about. It's crazy you ask that because I actually talked to my mom last night on the phone about a team I haven't beaten in the SEC Championship.

Q. The defensive line in front of you, what kind of growth have you seen from that group over the year?

CJ ALLEN: I seen those guys grow a lot, be able to rush as one, play as one, be able to call things out before it happens. Just communicate with the O-line.

Q. Maybe you could provide a perspective on Gunner, how night and day it is between last year and now, how you're seeing him lead the team?

CJ ALLEN: No doubt. Gunner always been the same person in terms of just coming in, working, head down. One of the first guys in, last one out.

I think he's grown his confidence piece, being able to speak up, just push guys, just to keep guys going.

Q. You're saying you notice a lot more. He's more verbal in terms of personality coming out on the field?

CJ ALLEN: Yeah, no doubt. You always know he's always passionate about the game. I think now more he's vocal with it.

Q. Could you detail how Georgia's defense has changed or is different from the September matchup?

CJ ALLEN: No doubt. I think doing a better job just playing Georgia football in terms of executing calls, being able to get guys on the same page, execute calls. Third down being able to SQR third down calls, being better as a whole on third down.

Q. You said you were talking to your mom that you hadn't been Alabama yet. Do you think there's a lot of that in your locker room where guys are wanting to check that off the box?

CJ ALLEN: No doubt. Guys just want to win this game, period, no matter who we're playing. Definitely I think guys feel the same way in terms of wanting to beat them.

Q. When you look at the first matchup with Alabama, how has their offense changed?

CJ ALLEN: I think those guys just playing good, all playing together, get the ball to their play-makers in space and create explosives.

Q. How would you describe what the relationship is like in the linebacker unit, how you trade off leading that defense?

CJ ALLEN: It just starts coming to Georgia, you know what to expect, what you sign up for. I think just do a good job keeping us glued, keeping us on the same page, not just one guy making the call. You got every guy talking in terms of making the call.

Q. CJ, what was your feelings about trying to get back out there? Why did you want to get back to the field so quickly? What was the experience like Friday?

CJ ALLEN: It was great just being able to be out there. A lot of people didn't expect it. Me, I felt like anytime I'm able to go, I'm going to go. Just be with my guys.

Q. You've played in these championship games before. How much does experience matter, having played in them early in your career, now doing it as a junior? What's the impact of the experience?

CJ ALLEN: For me, I just go back to my freshman year. I think the biggest thing back then, my confidence piece. I feel like it's something I didn't really have a lot in terms of that.

Also just being a student of the game, being more aware of what's going on. Also just being a whole leader now.

Q. What's been the biggest area of growth you've seen with Ellis this season?

CJ ALLEN: I think Ellis always been a freakish athlete. I see him in practice catch one-hand interceptions, do those type of things. Also again, just his confidence piece, knowing what type of player he is, believe in his-self.

Q. What do you remember about Ty Simpson from the matchup a few months ago?

CJ ALLEN: I think just get the offense in the right call, being able to make those throws down the field, coverage in tight windows, being able to extend plays with his legs.

THE MODERATOR: CJ, thank you.

CJ ALLEN: Appreciate you.