Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker declares for 2025 NFL Draft after Butkus-winning year
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker announced Monday that he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, capping off a remarkable junior year in which he won the Butkus Award — given to the nation’s best linebacker — and helped guide the Bulldogs to an SEC Championship and College Football Playoff berth.
Walker, who tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks in 2024, made the announcement in an Instagram post, thanking coaches, teammates and fans for their unwavering support. He became just the third Georgia player in program history to claim the Butkus Award, joining Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean.
This has been a dream of mine since I started playing the game,” Walker said in his post. “I’m grateful for the University of Georgia, my coaches, teammates, and all the Dawg fans who made these last three years unforgettable. Now it’s time for me to take that next step and chase the NFL.”
Dominant performances at key moments defined Walker’s junior campaign — turning in massive showings when the Bulldogs needed him most. He earned national recognition early in the year, posting 1.5 sacks in a season-opening win over Clemson and piling up 10 quarterback hurries against Kentucky in the SEC opener.
The Salisbury, North Carolina native made his biggest splash in a home victory over Texas, notching a career-best three sacks and recovering a fumble while drawing conference-wide accolades as SEC Defensive Player of the Week. He finished the season with 60 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann praised Walker’s leadership and on-field growth, pointing to his readiness for the next level.
“He’s been a model of consistency for us,” Schumann said in December. “When you’re in the coaching profession, it’s about helping people achieve their dreams. For Jalon, this means a chance to showcase his complete skill set in the NFL.”
Walker’s departure opens the door for younger linebackers like CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and rising sophomores Chris Cole and Justin Williams to step into more prominent roles next season. Georgia also signed five-star linebacker Zayden Walker and four-star AJ Kruah in its 2025 recruiting class, both of whom have already enrolled.
Walker now becomes the third Georgia player to declare for the NFL Draft following the Bulldogs’ 23-10 Sugar Bowl loss last Thursday. Quarterback Carson Beck and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge have also declared, highlighting a busy offseason for head coach Kirby Smart and his staff.
Georgia opens its 2025 schedule on Aug. 30 against Marshall, with spring practice likely to feature heavy competition among the next wave of linebackers. As for Walker, he leaves Athens with a decorated resume and a reputation for relentless intensity — hallmarks that should make him one of the top linebacker prospects in this year’s draft class.
