Former Crimson Tide Defensive Lineman Jonathan Allen Released

Former Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen was released by the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday afternoon after he spent one season with Minnesota. He was granted his release by the Washington Commanders in the spring of 2025 before signing with the Vikings.

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Allen was with the Tide from 2013 to 2016, where he won one National Championship as a starter during the 2015 season. He started 13 games as a true freshman and tallied three tackles for loss and half a sack. Allen saw significant improvement in his sophomore year, improving his sack numbers from just a half to five total. Allen improved every season with the Crimson Tide, totaling 39 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks as a junior in 2015. He returned for his senior season in 2016, where he was named a captain, and had the best year of his career, totaling 69 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks to go along with two pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, and two scoop-and-scores defensively. He finished the 2016 season by winning the Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik, Ted Hendricks, and Vince Lombardi Awards, being named a consensus All-American, and winning SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Allen spent seven years with the Commanders after being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. During is time with Washington, Allen tallied 42.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Allen was named to the Pro Bowl twice for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Allen signed a three-year deal worth $60 million with Minnesota in the spring of 2025. In his one season with the Vikings, Allen only had three and a half sacks and 68 total tackles.

Ryan Bond is an intern for Tide 100.9 with an avid interest in college football and college basketball. To keep up with Ryan, follow him on X at @Ryanb5172