Emory Hunt Believes C.J. Allen Will Give Bucs Fans Flashbacks To The Glory Years
April 22nd, 2026
Georgia ILB C.J. Allen.
So will Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht be able to trade down and start stocking up on linebackers? Or is his craving for trading down just a public crossover dribble?
We won’t know until tomorrow night. But if Licht does swing a deal, Emory Hunt said a guy Licht should seriously consider drafting will give Bucs fans who remember the glory years all the warm feels.
Joe really likes Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen. He looks like he has excellent fundamentals and he’s not shy about contact either. And, hey, do you know of a defensive player from Georgia who is a soft, fundamentally unsound defender?
Back at the combine Joe spoke with CBS analyst Emory Hunt. He’s also the author of his annual draft tome, “Football GamePlan Draft Guide.” Joe asked Hunt about Allen.
Knowing Joe covers the Bucs, Hunt gave Joe a comp for Allen that will hit Bucs fans right in the heart: Hardy Nickerson.
This came up when Joe mentioned how it’s hard to go wrong with a Kirby Smart defender.
“Listen, I have always said this, I said it this week, I say it all the time: If you told me you got a defender from San Diego State, Kansas State, Georgia, Utah, sight unseen, I am sold.
“So a player from Georgia, at that position, sign me up. But then you watch [Allen] play. Thumper. Impactful. [Hunt slammed his fist in his hand.] Hits you like you did something to him personally. That’s the type of guy you want.”
Joe cannot agree more. And remember that Licht has said multiple times this offseason he wants to get more violent. Guys he’s added on defense have that trait.
Hunt believes if the Bucs got Allen, it would be a throwback to when football was football.
“The ‘backer position has gone by the wayside compared to when we used to watch it growing up,” Hunt said. “When you had those Hardy Nickersons, those guys you feared, that’s why I get excited when I see players that remind me of yesteryear.
“I feel like that is getting lost. People don’t know how good football players used to be. They think football started in 2006.
“When you see guys that remind you of an old school guy, that’s what you are getting with [Allen].”
Hunt added that Allen is a “seek-and-destroy guy.”
Goodness, how awesome would that be to teleport Nickerson to today and plug him into the Bucs’ lineup? Look, Allen may never be Nickerson. That’s a tall order. But if he has the same makeup as Nickerson, why not take a flyer?
Licht acknowledges the Bucs need that kind of attitude on defense. And Joe really believes that type of physical player is contagious to teammates.
Just like Baker Mayfield fires up his offense when he bowls over defenders for a first down, so too does a quality hit from a linebacker arouse his defense. So long as he’s not flagged in Roger Goodell’s don’t-hit-too-hard league.
CJ Allen Cut Ups https://t.co/Sst2dItL6Q pic.twitter.com/lgn0bCmAiY
— jeremiahš¦āā¬ (@NewEraMiah) March 8, 2026
April 22nd, 2026 at 1:30 pm
Screw the ranking and trade back cuties
If he is the guyā¦ take him at 15 and be done with it!
April 22nd, 2026 at 1:32 pm
He’s a tough kid, with a lot of spunk
He played against Georgia Tech 13 days after knee surgery
He’s smart, fast, high football IQ, Kirby love him
April 22nd, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Allen does what we need from the Mo/Mike position well. Can fire downfield, fill in rush lanes and blitzes like a MFer. Not only that, but he’s also pretty reliable in coverage and not as big a liability as some other ILBs in the class.
Gotta feeling he’ll be there for the taking in the 2nd round, whether or not he’ll be there for us at 46th overall is a mystery though. If there were a player to trade up for on day 2, he’d be one of the favorites to me.
April 22nd, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Hardy Nickerson? Sign me up for more of that!
April 22nd, 2026 at 1:46 pm
He sounds like what this defense needs.
April 22nd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Taking him in the first round would protect him and Buc
fans from JLās 2nd round curse š
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:02 pm
I just don’t know how I feel about Allen. He does hit hard, he does call the plays, he is a leader..but there were games when he disappeared at times.
I’ll always defer to the experts, but for me, give me Rodriguez over Allen all day.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:02 pm
I said from the beginning I like drafting in ILB better than gambling on an edge guy with first pic. We deperately need 2 LBs, if that good by all means please.
BTW i totally agree with what I heard Sullivan say on the Ira Pocast. Presently we have no starting corner backs.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:02 pm
“Taking him in the first round would protect him and Buc
fans from JLās 2nd round curse”
My lord,
ASJ.
Spence & Aguayo.
Justin Evans.
Rojo.
SMB.
Winfield Jr.
Trask.
Hall & Goedeke.
Mauch.
Braswell.
Morrison.
It’s really not that bad, some of you guys just want Licht to connect on every pitch he swings at and that’s damn near impossible for any GM in any semi-pro/professional sport.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:08 pm
EMORY HUNT ALSO SID JOE TRYON SHOYINKA WAS THE BEST PASS RUSHER OF HIS DRAFT CLASS TOO LMAOOOO
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:10 pm
The problems the Bucs been having at MIKE LB
The guys don’t stay in their lane, they don’t protect the middle
They always get caught looking into the backfield
But CJ is a disciplined Mike, he stays in his lane
And he make plays, protecting the middle, rushing the QB
He rarely misses tackles, and he call the defense
Georgia is a top notch college football program
They are 36-6 since CJ been their Green Dot MIKE
His comparison is Roquan Smith and Bobby Wagner
They don’t make splash plays, they just do their job consistently
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Man Iāve changed my mind on him many times he looks so sound
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Lots of run plays shown. It’s a passing league and the Bucs have a terrible pass defense. So how is he in coverage? I want a ILB who can cover.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:47 pm
He’s average in coverage.
If you want an above average cover LBer who gets INTs and forces fumbles, then J Rodriguez is your guy.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:56 pm
I don’t get the Allen love over Rodriguez.
Here are some scouts notes on Allen:
-Hip stiffness limits his ability to flip and run with athletic tight ends or backs on angle routes, creating separation that better athletes will exploit.
-Gets caught flat-footed against quality play-action, taking a half-step forward before recognizing the pass and leaving soft spots in the middle of the field.
-Lacks the pop and physicality to consistently stack and shed bigger blockers; offensive linemen can absorb his contact and ride him out of the play.
-Man coverage assignments against NFL-caliber receiving threats will be a test; his footwork in transition needs refinement to stick with route breaks.
-Not a high-value playmaker despite the production; does not create turnovers, explosive hits, or splash plays at a rate that matches his overall production.
The Bucs need play makers on defense. Allen is a more polished and better athlete version of SVD IMO.
Rodriquez is a play maker who creates turnovers.
April 22nd, 2026 at 2:57 pm
A MIKE LB is more responsible for stopping the run
But they do cover the middle of the field
But they shouldn’t leave the middle unprotected
The Strongside LB is more responsible for trailing a TE, RB
But CJ has the speed (4.47) to cover a RB
And he played RB in high school
Rushed for over 1,600 yards, 26 TDs as a senior
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:05 pm
CJ Allen turned 21 years old last month
He’s a 3 year starter as the Green Dot (Signal caller) since his freshman year
He’s a Captain of the defense, a leader in the locker room
He plays MIKE in one of the most complex defenses in college
Georgia is 36-6 with him as their signal caller
This despite playing one of the toughest schedules every year
He’s a student of Kirby Smart, the best defense mind in college football
He has the size, speed, IQ, toughness to be successful
He’s just an around good person, in the field, and off the field
He’s well rounded, a student of the game, he don’t make many mistakes
He has a very low missed tackle rate
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:06 pm
And he’s highly productive
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Hes not big, dodgy in coverage and his knee is still messed up. Passsss. There are a lot of ILB in this draft.
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Don’t think it matters.
I am pretty sure the pick will be one of two players:
-Mesidor
-Ioane
The more I think about, the more those guys make the most sense.
Mesidor for obvious reasons. Fills a huge need.
Ioane would be a plug and play starter Day 1. He would help the run game tremendously and protect Baker. The guy gave up ZERO sacks and ZERO HITS in 613 offense snaps!!
That’s just insane.
Brendenson can provide dpeth at center and both guard spots. Both our starting guards are coming over injuries from last year.
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:37 pm
I hope the Bucs don’t draft CJ Allen
The Bucs are not the team for him, they are not stable
He comes from one of the vest college programs in football
He wouldn’t fit with a dysfunctional team like the Bucs
I’m a Buc fan, but some players don’t belong here
They deserves to somewhere else, in a better environment
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:39 pm
I looked at JRod and Allen again. I’d take Jrod over Allen any day.
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:41 pm
“””best college program
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:46 pm
CJ Allen is the type of player we play in Lakeland
Hard, physical, tough, plays violent
The Bucs are the total opposite
They love nice guys, choir boys, and these types fit their fanbase
April 22nd, 2026 at 3:56 pm
in layman’s terms:
big dog licht might be eurostepping š
(similar to the smokescreen)
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Someone seems a little upset that folks have a different opinion on Allen.
Steady Eddie player for sure..top 15 draft pick? Dont see it.
Saying a player is too good or too much of a winner to be a Buc is hilarious.
So the Bucs should draft losers from losing programs?
Come on now. Silly talk
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:05 pm
LVD Replacement sign me up for any LB that can come in and try to be the next LVD or Brooks
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:21 pm
If we pass on Jacob Rodriguez, and I really like McDonald at DT, and I would not mind selling the farm to get both of them, but if we miss on JRod? That would ruin my weekend. And my brother is coming into town from Denver and we have tee times for Sunday and Monday? And if these knuckleheads ruin my weekend (and that would be the excuse if my game is off) then I propose itās high time to break out the bullwhip. And let Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedecke take turns wielding it.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:32 pm
This is a good class of ILBs. Allen,J Rod, Trotter, Golday. Bucs should come out of this draft with one who will start, and one who can maybe replace Anzalone down the road. As bad as Dennis turned out, and david retiring, we need help there.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I’m saying some players are too physical to play for a soft team
It’s not a match, not a good fit, they’re not made for each other
Especially when you’re coming from a highly successful, well organized team
And CJ Allen is not a good fit in Tampa
He’s used to winning, use to greatness, use to great players
This team is soft loaded with soft players
That’s why this franchise can’t get too defensive free agents
It’s a known fact, I’m not making this up
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:39 pm
I’m just keeping it real.
The Bucs are a very soft team
Physical players on this team is rare
Even though I’m a Buc fan, but it is what it is
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Tykee Smith is an ex Bulldog
Even though he transferred to Georgia
He still see the difference from his days at Georgia
He see the difference in the players mentality, their effort
Georgia never,stunk the field like the Bucs did last season
Their players fight until the end
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Bold take: CJ Allen is safer prospect than Mesidor. Just oneās manās opinion.
Elite processing speed, side-to-sideline hustle plays, sure tackler (remember how we all harped on this being an issue last year), fine in coverage (good grief heās not a safety, the better coverage linebackers arenāt able to sift through the OL blockers [aka trash] to THUMP running backs. Proactively vocal communicator (how often have we heard that communication had to be improved this decade), high football IQā¦.he called most of the defensive plays (not relayed from coachā¦actually called the plays), SEC respected program that churns out ready to go football talent every year. I could go on. Whatās not to like?
One of the safest high floor day one contributors with potential pro-bowl talent in this class. Would be happy if he puts on a Buccaneers cap tomorrow night.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:02 pm
I don’t watch college football for the most part, only really read and watch tape in perpetration for the draft, so I think I view these guys a lot differently than the people that do watch college ball. And, to be clear, I’m not saying my way is the right way – I think it’s the wrong way in fact, but I just can’t get into college football.
Anywho, with that disclaimer, I’ve seen C.J. Allen projected as a 1st rounder, and when I watch the tape and read scouting reports – many of them in his case – I’m just not getting it. I have no doubt he’ll be a good NFL LB, but I’m not seeing anything special about him compared to other guys. I’m not bashing Allen, if the Bucs got him in the 2nd round, I’d love that – but as a guy in the middle of the first round – for me I want that guy to be special at something, and I’m not seeing it. In fact if I was forced to take one of the ILB’s in the 1st, I’d probably go with Hill since he has the higher ceiling I think (but is also a bit less of a sure thing – and to be clear I would not draft him in the 1st).
Anyways, if the Bucs traded back to late in the 1st and got Allen, I’d be good with that. But I’d also be good with taking J-Rod, Hill or Louis – in the 2nd. Ideally, if the Bucs traded back, I’d love for them to end up with 2 of those guys.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:05 pm
Lakeland. When our OLine is healthy they can impose their will, physically. But youāre right- this team got itās a$$ kicked, from a physical standpoint, far too often last season. āHits like you did something to him personallyā. Thatās a ringing endorsement for CJ Allen. Difference between him and JRod- and I like Allen- is that JRod hits like you did something to his wife personally. And after heās knocked your a$$ off he steals your lunch. And your billfold and car keys. And keep an eye on your jockstrap because heās gonna be trying to knock that off of you, too. I canāt help but thinking our defense changes overnight if our front office doesnāt blow this pick.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:12 pm
CJ is not a good fit with the Bucs
He’s a Green Dot Signal Caller, he’s responsible for the defense
He’s an old school traditional MIKE LB
He’s a leader of the defense, get players in position
But, you can’t scheme around a LB like him
And you need quality players around him, disciplined players
The Bucs don’t have that
I’m sorry
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:13 pm
McDonald offers zero pass rush. Hes a 2 down lineman. No way donI take him at 15. Hes really a late 1 or 2nd rounder. Theres really no 1s at DT in this draft.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:15 pm
JRod, Anthony Hill Jr, Kyle Louis those guys are good fits with the Bucs
But CJ Allen is not a fit at all
Because of the players around him on this team
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Rod Munch. I can appreciate what you see in Louis, but Iād take Hill if we miss on JRod. Allen, Hill, and Louis would all be better than SirVocea and Bozeman but we need an ACE. Just have a feeling that JRod, with our additions of Anzalone and Robinson, is going to make this defense hum. Can you imagine if we could get McDonald to add to that rotation? Our edge rushers would feast. Heck, Braswell would look like a pro bowler.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:24 pm
I said the exact same thing during the 1996 draft
I was hoping The Bucs didn’t draft Ray Lewis
Even though him and Sapp were tight, Sapp use to come to Lakeland with him
I just felt like Ray was a better fit with an established team
The Bucs had drafted Sapp and Brooks the year before, but they weren’t established yet
So the Bucs drafted Marcus Jones at 22
And the Baltimore drafted Ray with the 26th pick
So Ray went on to have a successful career with the Ravens
Some players just don’t fit certain teams
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:31 pm
While its fun to reminisce about Hardy Nickerson. Reality says we need linebackers that excel in coverage. Watching Devin White struggle in coverage against tight ends wasn’t my idea of fun.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Pass coverage was Devin White strength in college
Devin White had a 91.6 pass coverage grade against TE, RB
He gave up a total of 7 FD during his final season in college
His run defense grade was 73.3
His 4.42 speed allowed him to stay with any TE, or RB
I think Devin White mind was overloaded with schemes
And he lost focus, he’s not the old Devin White
No where near it, he had too much on his plate with Tampa
He was a great college LB, one of the best I’ve ever seen
He had raw talent, athleticsm, he was a playmaker
Somewhere in Tampa he lost it
That’s why l say CJ Allen isn’t a good fit in Tampa