Even on a rare bad day, A.J. Allen is in a great mood.<\/p>\n
So imagine what it is like to be the Saskatchewan Roughriders\u2019 No. 32 these days \u2014\u00a0enjoying another standout season for a team that has already clinched first place overall in the CFL.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I\u2019m having one of the best years of my life,\u201d the 27-year-old weak-side linebacker, he of the omnipresent smile, said after the 12-4 Roughriders practised at Mosaic Stadium on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife-wise, family-wise, football-wise and in my relationship, I\u2019m having one of the best years of my life. It\u2019s really humbling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just blessed to be here, to be a Rider, and to have this happen here. It\u2019s incredible. Nothing but praise and love for everyone around me here.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fourth-year Roughrider, Allen was the CFL\u2019s co-leader in special teams tackles (with 22) last season.<\/p>\n
He also started twice at linebacker, making the most of the first front-line assignment by returning an interception 48 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage.<\/p>\n
The former University of Guelph Gryphons standout has followed up in 2025 with three more interceptions \u2014 including one in each of the past two games \u2014\u00a0to go with four sacks and 75 defensive tackles.<\/p>\n
The latter total places him 10th in the league and second among Canadians.<\/p>\n
Allen is also second on the Roughriders in defensive tackles. \u00a0Middle linebacker Jameer Thurman leads the way with 81.<\/p>\n
Thurman, C.J. Avery (weak side) and C.J. Reavis (strong side\/cover) formed the Roughriders\u2019 troika of starting linebackers to begin the regular season. However, Avery suffered a bicep injury in the opener, creating a sizable void that Allen has filled.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing into the off-season, we kind of saw the trajectory of the player he could be on defence,\u201d Head Coach and Defensive Co-ordinator Corey Mace said. \u201cWe all knew the type of player he was when it comes to special teams \u2014\u00a0one of the elite players in the league. We knew the skill set that he had to help us win football games.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, C.J. Avery went down early in the season. A.J. had a good camp and he had to step in. He has done a phenomenal job.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was crucial for our football team to be able to put somebody out there who you have faith in and the guys have trust in and still be able to go out there and excel \u2026\u00a0and he has done that.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has taken his opportunity and run with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was the objective all along.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of times, you see people getting that opportunity from special teams,\u201d Allen said. \u201cIn this case, it\u2019s me. It happens to a lot of people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just a matter of controlling what I can control. I can\u2019t control whether I\u2019m on defence or not, but I\u2019m going to be ready when the chance comes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also about being able to prove myself right \u2014 whether I\u2019m going to be the best special teams player on this team, on this field, at all times, or I\u2019m going to be the best linebacker I can be.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, that\u2019s kind of the mindset. I can\u2019t control whether I play or not. I am in control of my effort and my execution and attention to detail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all I am trying to focus on \u2014\u00a0just being the best me and proving I am who I say I am on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n
Allen has a team-high 96 defensive plays \u2014\u00a0a total that includes the aforementioned statistics, along with special teams tackles (four), pass knockdowns (four), forced fumbles (three) and tackles for a loss (three).<\/p>\n