Up Close: Meet Roughriders linebacker AJ Allen

National Post

26-06-2025

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Not only is the Saskatchewan Roughriders' linebacker excelling on the field, but he loves playing video games off the field.
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After being drafted by the Green and White in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL draft out of the University of Guelph — where he earned two degrees; one in criminal justice and public policy, and the other political science — Allen has racked up 47 special teams tackles and was tied for the league lead last year with 22.
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But more recently, he's been starting at linebacker and against the Toronto Argonauts last week, Allen notched his first career sack as he downed quarterback Nick Arbuckle in Saskatchewan's 39-32 victory. However, that play still doesn't top his interception returned for a touchdown last year against the B.C. Lions in Week 19, which remains a career highlight.
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Ahead of Saskatchewan's Week 4 CFL contest against the Lions on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium, we caught up with Allen to chat about life on and off the field:
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Position: Linebacker
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Number: 32
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Age: 27
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Height and weight: 6-foot-0, 210-pounds
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Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
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How did you get into football?
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'I got into football in Grade 4. I started out life playing basketball and volleyball, but I was a huge (video) gamer. So after school, I'd go and I play the games.
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'My mom wanted to get me out of the house, so she saw an ad to play Burlington Stampeders football. I went there and I had a fun time, and I wasn't that bad.
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'I started out my career playing defensive end and fullback. (B.C. Lions quarterback) Nathan Rourke was my teammate back then. I played with (NFL receiver) Josh Palmer and a few other guys as well. But yeah, that's where it started.'
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'It's definitely got to be scoring last year versus B.C. In terms of on-field, that was definitely the most exhilarating thing I've ever done.'
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'But I love to play chess. So, before game day, I'm playing at least three games. I'll play a best-of-three. If I'm getting my butt kicked, I'll switch it to a best-of-five.
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'It gets the mind right, trying to think a few steps ahead and what's someone trying to do. I love chess because you can see all the moves ahead of you. All the moves are on the table. You can prepare. I can see what you're doing. You can see what I'm doing. There's no tricks, there's no scams. It's kind of like football, right? If you prepare well enough, I can see what's going on before it happens, or while it's happening.'