Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker has earned the prestigious Butkus Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top linebacker. Walker’s win continues Georgia’s tradition of developing elite linebackers, especially under coach Kirby Smart’s leadership.
This season, Walker played a pivotal role in Georgia’s dominant defense. He finished the year with 58 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries, proving to be a consistent force. His standout performance came in the game against Texas, where he registered four of his sacks, including three in the first meeting, marking the first time in over 20 years a player recorded that many against the No. 1 team in the country.
Interestingly, despite his remarkable achievements, Walker was only named to the All-SEC second team just days before winning the Butkus Award, highlighting a potential oversight by SEC coaches.
Though Walker still has another year of eligibility, it’s expected he’ll declare for the NFL Draft once Georgia’s College Football Playoff run concludes. Fans should savor his remaining games, as this may be his final season with Georgia.
Regardless of whether he returns next year, Walker has already cemented a lasting legacy at Georgia, having won a National Championship, two SEC titles, and now the Butkus Award. He’ll aim to cap off his career with another national title next month.
