Second-year surge: Georgia LB Jalon Walker
It’s summertime in Athens and Kirby Smart’s eighth Georgia football team is putting in a lot of work behind closed doors. The entire 2023 class has arrived on campus and the Bulldogs are marching toward history.
A third consecutive National Championship, in the modern era, is unprecedented. But so was a back-to-back titles in the playoff era. In order for Georgia to stay on top of the mountain, it’ll have to rely on some players heading into their second season.
With that in mind, DawgsHQ is rolling out a series where we look at every scholarship player who is entering year two. Next up is a guy who has already shown that he’s willing to do any and everything to help Georgia win.
LB Jalon Walker
Size: 6-foot-2, 225 pounds
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 53 overall, No. 4 linebacker, No. 2 in North Carolina
2022 Stats: Walker played in all 15 games last season in a variety of roles. He was a reserve inside linebacker in the early part of the season and played on special teams. He blocked a punt against Kent State in week three. As the season went on and injuries mounted at outside linebacker, Walker began working with that position group and saw extensive action as an EDGE player in the College Football Playoff.
Walker strengths and weaknesses…
Walker is the son of a coach and possesses tremendous overall and football intelligence. He’s already considered a leader on the team despite having spent just one season in the program. With that said, his physical tools are also undeniable. Walker possesses a strong combination of size and speed. He runs really well and is currently tipping the scales at over 230 pounds per persons with knowledge of the situation.
His versatility is also a huge asset. Georgia used him on the edge a season ago because he has some natural pass-rush ability. In fact, the move to outside linebacker was preceded by him working as a pass rusher in the Bulldogs third-down package. Walker can cover and has all of the physical tools necessary to play inside linebacker at a high level. The only knock here is that he needs to get settled into a spot where he can master his craft.
The Buzz…
You could walk into Georgia’s football facility, tap a random person on the shoulder, ask them about Walker, and they’ll almost certainly have something good to say. The sophomore linebacker has endeared himself to pretty much everyone in the program with his attitude, work ethic, and raw talent. We didn’t hear a peep out of him this spring, however, because he was recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum. Walker is healthy now.
In 2023…
Reps are up for grabs at inside linebacker. Smael Mondon will probably begin the season on the shelf and there’s a spot or two in the rotation with Trezmen Marshall now at Alabama and Rian Davis now at Central Florida. Walker has a good chance to jump into the mix but he’s going to have a dog fight on his hands with a host of talented players. Xavian Sorey and E.J. Lightsey are also on the cusp with true freshmen Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen also pushing for a shot.
