CJ Allen

Follow the Colts rookie draft class through their introduction to the NFL. 2026 draft picks including CJ Allen, A.J. Haulcy and Jalen Farmer explain how they're learning from veterans and position coaches, leaning on one another, and embracing opportunity.  Colts coaches share insight on how they're preparing rookies to navigate the expectations and standards of the league and the franchise.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for a conversation about eight members of the 2026 Colts that begins with one word to describe each. JJ and Lou also get into where defense has evolved over the last few decades, and what it takes for a playcall to go from whiteboard concept to hitting the field on Sunday.

0:00 Pod intro
1:36 CJ Allen
4:12 A.J. Haulcy
6:15 Sauce Gardner
9:33 DeForest Buckner
12:19 Laiatu Latu
14:12 Cam Bynum
16:48 Justin Walley
19:30 Shane Steichen
21:24 Defensive design & playcalling process

Second-round pick, linebacker CJ Allen meets with the media for the first time as a member of the Indianapolis Colts as rookie minicamp gets underway.

Introducing the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 NFL Draft Class — CJ Allen. A.J. Haulcy. Jalen Farmer. Bryce Boettcher. George Gumbs Jr. Caden Curry. Seth McGowan. Deion Burks.

Eight new names. Same goal.

Go inside the Indianapolis Colts' selections of linebacker CJ Allen from Georgia and safety A.J. Haulcy from LSU on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

JJ Stankevitz is joined by Colts second-round linebacker CJ Allen and third-round safety A.J. Haulcy to get to know each of the team's first two selections in this year's NFL Draft. JJ discusses how each of them made it to this point in their careers, how they'll continue forward and what inspires both of them on and off the field.

0:00 Podcast intro
2:00 CJ Allen joins the pod
7:45 A.J. Haulcy joins the pod

Go inside the Indianapolis Colts' selection of CJ Allen, a linebacker from Georgia, on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Watch the moment his name is called, experience the reaction with his family and listen in on calls from the Colts' leadership as they welcome him to Indianapolis.

Southeast area scout Anthony Coughlan and Southwest area scout Mike Lacy speak with the media, discussing the Colts' 2026 NFL Draft class.

Casey Vallier is joined by Colts Ring of Honor receiver Bill Brooks and former Colts tight end and radio analyst Charles Arbuckle to break down the team's Day 2 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Colts selected linebacker CJ Allen out of Georgia in the 2nd Round (53rd overall), followed by LSU safety A.J. Haulcy in the 3rd Round (78th overall). The guys discuss how both players fit into the Colts' defensive scheme and look ahead to potential targets as the team enters rounds 4–7 coming up on Saturday.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard discusses the team's day two picks: linebacker CJ Allen from Georgia and safety A.J. Haulcy from LSU.

Get your first look at the Colts' second round pick: CJ Allen, Linebacker, Georgia.

Linebacker CJ Allen speaks with the media on joining the Indianapolis Colts after being selected 53rd in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee announces the Colts' selection of Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen in Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 53 overall pick (via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers).

As the team wraps up offseason workouts, rookies have already caught the eyes of coaches and players.

Bettcher, who is in his second year as the Colts' linebackers coach, says Allen acclimated to the team well when we got into the facility.

Allen will wear No. 53 with the Colts, while Haulcy chose No. 25.

The Colts selected five defensive players in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Despite not having a pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager Chris Ballard and the Colts impressed many national analysts

The Colts made eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, from CJ Allen in the second round to Deion Burks in the seventh round. Here's how each player could impact the Colts and the process it took for Chris Ballard to land them.

General manager Chris Ballard only selected players from the Big Ten and SEC in the 2026 Draft

The Colts own seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, beginning in the second round with the 47th overall pick.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard picked up an extra fourth round pick and still landed a starting MIKE linebacker in Georgia's CJ Allen on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

With pick No. 53, the Colts selected linebacker CJ Allen from the University of Georgia

The Colts opened their 2026 NFL Draft by addressing a key need on Lou Anarumo's defense.