Jalon Walker

Jalon walker

university of georgia

height: 6’2” weight: 245 lbs class: junior

Jalon Nicholas Walker is a standout linebacker with impressive production and versatility on the field. The 2024 Butkus Award winner, over the course of his collegiate career, has demonstrated his ability to make an impact in various defensive roles. In 2024, Walker played in all 13 games, starting in 11 of them. He posted career-high numbers with six tackles in the season opener against Clemson, along with 1.5 sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries. His defensive efforts included a team-high 10 QB pressures in the SEC opener against Kentucky, and seven solo tackles, including three sacks for a combined loss of 23 yards, in a win over Texas. In 2023, Walker’s impact continued as he played in all 14 games as a reserve inside linebacker, registering five sacks and a total of 20 tackles, including 14 solo stops. He forced a fumble with a sack against Florida and recorded a career-high two sacks in the SEC Championship against Alabama. As a freshman in 2022, Walker appeared in all 15 games, contributing to special teams and linebacker units. He blocked a punt that led to a safety and added several tackles and quarterback hurries across the season, including three QB hurries in the CFP Semifinal against Ohio State and a tackle for loss in the National Championship Game against TCU. Walker’s statistics show a consistent ability to disrupt opposing offenses through tackles, sacks, and quarterback pressures, all while contributing to his team in a variety of ways. Walker is a three down player and his speed matched with his feel for the game was important to the way Georgia ran their defense in 2024. 

Pass Game

Walker is an explosive pass rusher when he comes off either side of the offensive line. His speed can allow him to beat tackles outside almost every chance he gets and gives him the leverage to fight them off at the point of contact. For not having much hand technique or pass rush moves he wins with his quickness. Walker makes for a great Quarterback spy, especially mobile ones. He has enough speed to track Quarterbacks down when they're leaving the pocket and has the recognition to recognize when a Quarterback decides to leave the pocket. Now that’s Jalon Walker's game, Georgia did mix him into man or zone coverage and he can do both at a steady level. He wants to read what the Quarterback is doing almost every snap he out there for and it can get him in trouble at times. It can move him from his zone or distract him from his zone coverage assignment, making him in the wrong spot or opening up a passing lane. He has enough athleticism, poise, and discipline to improve in this area of the game.

Run Game

When it comes to run defending, Walker has solid strength in his hands to shed and escape from blockers to make the tackle on the runner and does so consistently. He has the quickness and range to track a runner down at a high level. Walker is a gritty player and has no fear of getting his head in the chaos of the LOS and when he is engaged with blockers he is always fighting off the block. He is stout when engaging with tight ends and running backs, he wants to go through them everytime. Walker shows discipline and poise in RPO’s and can correctly diagnose where the football is going in the RPO game. 

Projection

Jalon Walker is a highly versatile defensive prospect with the potential to become a key piece in an NFL defense. Currently, he is a three-down starter capable of contributing both as a linebacker and as a pass rusher along the defensive line. His ability to play multiple positions gives him a unique skill set that can be utilized in a variety of defensive schemes. While he may not be suited to take on the green dot role as a primary communicator on defense, Walker’s strengths lie in his flexibility and ability to be moved around to exploit mismatches. Walker is a versatile defensive player who wrecks havoc, once he learns more about the nuances of the linebacker position he will be elite. Walker could evolve into a dynamic playmaker in the NFL, providing a defense with a versatile weapon who can line up at different spots to create pressure and disrupt opposing offenses.