Georgia football’s next Butkus Award winner may already be on campus, and it could be 5-star linebacker Zayden Walker. The Bulldogs have once again secured one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, finishing No. 4 overall. While it may not be the No. 1 class like last year, Georgia continues to attract some of the best talent in the country.
Even though Georgia wasn’t ranked at the top this cycle, head coach Kirby Smart’s program still managed to sign the most No. 1 ranked recruits at their position, a testament to their recruiting prowess. Among the standout signings is Walker, a highly regarded linebacker who could be a future Butkus Award contender.
The Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker, is no stranger to Georgia football. Just this week, linebacker Jalon Walker was honored with the 2024 Butkus Award, marking the third time under Smart that a Bulldog has claimed the prestigious title. Given the program’s history of producing elite linebackers, it wouldn’t be a shock to see another Georgia player win the award soon, and Walker may very well be the next.
Walker brings an impressive skill set to Athens, and with his potential, he could quickly make his mark in Georgia’s defense. If he continues to develop under Smart’s coaching, Walker could follow in the footsteps of former Bulldogs who have excelled at the linebacker position, further solidifying Georgia’s reputation as a linebacker factory.
As Georgia continues to reload with top-tier talent, the future of its defense looks bright, and Zayden Walker could very well be the next player to bring home the Butkus Award.
