JACKSONVILLE – He's the future of the franchise – and one of its faces.
Josh Allen is entering just his second NFL season, but he has earned those statuses around the Jaguars – and continues to do so as the 2020 regular season approaches.
Allen, the No. 7 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, joined senior writer John Oehser on this week's O-Zone Podcast, presented by VyStar. Among the topics was that status as a foundation piece of the franchise, and his approach to being a leader on a young team so early in his career.
"I feel like the biggest pressure of that is not even leading others; it's how I carry myself," Allen said. "it's how I carry myself in the locker room, out there on the field, in meetings. I feel like we're in a different time for the Jaguars organization, where different guys have to step up.
"It's about doing what I need to do – being on time, being in the right place, practicing hard every play, running to the ball … That's stuff guys see and that's being a leader. That's something I have to control myself."
Allen, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie after setting a franchise rookie record with 10.5 sacks, discussed multiple other topics on the podcast – including the influence of family growing up, and how that family shaped his competitive nature. He also discussed how overcoming a stutter as a child shaped his childhood – and his personality today.
Also a topic: how not being a five-star recruit of high school – and not being a can't-miss NFL prospect until late in his career at the University of Kentucky – shaped how he approaches his profession.
"I try to show people I'm more than just an athlete and more than just a football player," he said. "I like to have different conversations with different people. There's more than just work. I want you to know that I'm a personable guy. It's bigger than just what we do.
"That's the type of person I am. That's just how I was raised."
To hear the entire Josh Allen conversation O-Zone Podcast, presented by VyStar, click here.
