‘He hasn’t scratched the surface’: Teammates believe Riders’ A.J. Allen should have gotten more recognition

CFL players are recognized for their standout performances on both sides of the field. Donovan Maess has more.

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker A.J. Allen had a breakout season in his fourth year as a pro. While he was named the team’s top Canadian performer, his teammates believe that was not enough.

Allen spent his first three seasons and the beginning of this season taking the majority of his reps on special teams, but was quickly given an opportunity early in the season due to injuries on defense.

“It actually worked out for me this time,” Allen told CTV News. “I had the same mindset of [be] prepared when that opportunity comes be available when it is there.”

As a result of that opportunity, the Burlington, Ont., product broke out this season.

Allen led the Riders in defensive tackles (91) and added four sacks, three interceptions and forced three fumbles.

“He’s getting a lot more publicity now he’s playing defense, but we’re talking about a guy who’s dominant for a few years on special teams,” Riders’ head coach Corey Mace said. “He was pressured into that early in the season and he’s taken off.”

“I don’t think he’s scratched the surface,” Mace added.

His performance earned him the team’s nomination as Most Outstanding Canadian, but he was ultimately topped by B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke as the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) West Division nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian.

On Thursday night in Winnipeg, Rourke was named the league’s Most Oustanding Canadian and Most Outstanding Player.

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Allen’s teammates feel he did not get enough recognition for his play.

“It’s time for the CFL fans and media to give [Allen] the respect he deserves,” fellow linebacker Jameer Thurman said on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) before the division nominees were announced. “Not only has he been one of the best LBs in the league, he also has been one of the best Canadians.”

“He put in the work, waited for his opportunity and has excelled at a high level. It is time to give him the respect he deserves,” Thurman’s post added.

Riders defensive back C.J. Reavis reposted Thurman with a simple quote: “[I] second this.”

“I’m playing with some elite football players,” Allen responded. “It means a lot guys like Thurman and Reavis are out there even tweeting about it. Those guys don’t tweet! Man, [they have] so much love for me, they’re using an app they don’t use.”

A winner’s mindset

Not receiving the individual accolade is more than okay for Allen.

Despite having a stellar regular season, he attributes his success to pretty much everything but his own play.

“It’s my teammates, man,” he said quickly turning away the spotlight. “And the coaching staff for sure.”

Allen says the trust he’s received from his team has been the source of confidence.

“I’ve just been in blessed opportunities to be able to make plays,” he said. “There’s some I missed, though. I still think about that pick-six I dropped to this day.”

His excellent play also allowed a Riders’ team riddled with injures the flexibility with the league’s Canadian-American player ratio rules.

“Incredible first season for him as a as a true starter,” Mace said. “He’s only going to get better.”

Better for Mace means Allen may one day be in legitimate talks to win league awards.

“He’s had a hell of a season,” the coach said. “I [will] not be shocked when they are talking about him as a defensive player of the year or Most Outstanding Canadian. He’s got the talent to do so.”

Still, the linebacker remains focused on being the best player he can be to help his team win a Grey Cup in Winnipeg this weekend.

“I prove myself right in every opportunity,” Allen said. “If you keep trying to prove other people wrong, you’re going to live a very long life because they’re always going to have something to say.”