Colts' CJ Allen calls being latest Georgia football LB to NFL 'badge of honor'

When the Indianapolis Colts decided to select CJ Allen in the second round of the NFL Draft, he became the latest inside linebacker to go from Georgia football to the next level.

The junior from Barnesville joins the likes of Roquan Smith , Jalon Walker , Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to play for Glenn Schumann and Kirby Smart with the Bulldogs.

“It means a lot,” Allen said in a media session with Colts reporters. “I take it as a badge of honor. That’s what I came to Georgia to do. That’s what I signed up for. Just being able to carry it on, just knowing that I did it the right way, it definitely means a lot and it continues in the league. And to be able to do it the Colts, it means a lot.”

Allen was the No. 53 overall pick.

The NFL Network captured him on TV in Atlanta in a gathering he said included his mother, sisters and brother.

“It was a little nerve-wracking, you know not knowing what’s going on, not knowing who’s going to pick you,” he said. “It came down to a minute right there. …I knew that God’s time is the perfect timing.”

The Colts held a formal meeting in the lead up to the draft with Georgia’s leading tackler last season with 88 in a year he had 3 ½ sacks. They also came to Georgia’s Pro Day.

“As far as what I bring to the team, you’re getting a Dawg,” he said. “You’re getting a true linebacker that is able to make your defense better. Man, run sideline to sideline. Really love football and love defense. You’re getting a physical linebacker that can run.”

Colts general manager Chris Ballard heard high praise about Allen from Smart and former Georgia co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

"We've liked CJ through the whole process," Ballard said. "He stands for all the right stuff. He's an athletic, fast MIKE. He'll be a green-dot guy for us from the get-go. I mean, he's a face of the program type of guy. He's a really special dude now. Loves to play, serious about football. It's evident when you watch Georgia tape. I mean, he shows up and look, I mean Kirby and Will Muschamp, who's been a friend for a long time, they couldn't – they were effusive in what kind of player this kid is. It's a good fit for us."

The Colts went 8-9 last season, finishing third in the AFC South.

“I’m coming to make the team better," Allen said.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Colts draft pick CJ Allen latest Georgia football linebacker hit NFL