K’Lavon Chaisson: Jaguars DE Josh Allen is like a ‘big brother’ to me

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie K’Lavon Chaisson will almost definitely be playing a major role this season, and he’s been able to learn from a rising star in defensive end Josh Allen.

While the team awaits word on whether or not disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue will play this season or not after being tendered the non-exclusive franchise tag this offseason, Chaisson is expected to step in and fill the void if needed, and provide depth to the team’s rotation of pass rushers whether Ngakoue shows up or not.

“We have been talking a lot,” Chaisson said about Allen today when speaking to local reporters today. “We actually worked out a few times as well with each other. I kind of look at him as the role model, someone to follow, after all of the success he had. I can say that people have bragged about his character and the way he’s displayed around the facilities as someone that I want to be looked at like that as well.

“Like I said, I look at him like a big brother and he’s kind of helped me welcome my way into the league and try to be a pro as best as I can.”

Both Jaguars pass rushers first got together nearly immediately following this year’s draft, able to soak up what both players have learned in their time playing football. While at LSU, Chaisson was able to play in 24 games, totaling 92 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks in three years. The former LSU pass rusher would miss much of his sophomore season, playing in only one game.

While raw, Chaisson presents a much-needed presence along the team’s defensive line and within its linebackers group.

It makes sense Chaisson and Allen would connect as much as they do. Both players are highly athletic and both were represented as one of the best at their position within the SEC - Chaisson with LSU, Allen with Kentucky.

Allen, selected with the team’s No. 7 overall pick last year, proved to be one of the best young edge rushers last season after netting a Pro Bowl, 10.5-sack season. The young pass rusher was the only Jaguars defensive lineman to net double-digit sacks, and with an increased role this season, there is no reason to believe he won’t make a bigger impact.

During the offseason, in an effort to refine his skills and maintain his conditioning, Chaisson routinely trained with defensive and offensive line specialist coach Brandon Jordan in Texas. There, he’s been able to perfect his craft in anticipation for his pro football debut this season.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been tough for Chaisson to find accessible places to work out while also maintaining social distancing and staying safe, but the work he has been able to find he’s taking full advantage of it, he says.

“With the work that I get, I take full advantage of it and I try to get as much as I can and I am paying attention to all of the details. Not really more so trying to go hard and get everything, but trying to get every single technique and every single detail down and being able to bring that to the field and help the team.”

With the players the Jaguars have currently on their roster as pass rushers, Chaisson feels that the potential is endless. Not only do the Jaguars have Allen, but Ngakoue can provide an elite-level pass rush in his own right, something that’ll be hard to defend if all three players are on the same field, Chaisson said.

“It makes everybody’s job a lot easier if a quarterback can’t get the ball off, it makes it even better. So, playing next to those to guys is a blessing and learning from them too it only gets better and helps the team a lot.”