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Zayden Walker continues to grow for Georgia down the stretch

Jeremy Johnsonby: Jeremy Johnson2 hours agoJeremyO_Johnson

Freshman linebacker Zayden Walker has become a part of Georgia’s linebacker rotation. The five-star signee wasn’t involved much early in the season.

Around mid-season, Walker popped up as an edge early in Georgia’s win over Mississippi State. He played 12 snaps that day. His role has continued to evolve late in his freshman season.

Walker recorded a sack and forced fumble against Texas last month. Walker played 19 snaps against the Longhorns. He was in the game for seven plays in Georgia’s win over UNC-Charlotte.

He only played four plays in Georgia’s win over Georgia Tech last week, but he drew praise from head coach Kirby Smart for his continued growth. Smart was instrumental in recruiting Walker, who was the No. 28 overall prospect in the 2025 Rivals Industry Rankings and the No. 1 overall linebacker.

Zayden Walker growing up

Smart acknowledged the learning curve Walker had coming out of Schley County. Walker played running back, edge, and linebacker in his four years of high school. Those experiences have left him with a deep bag of skills as Georgia’s diversifies even ways to use him.

“He’s grown up a lot,” Smart said in the SEC Championship Game press conference. “He’s still developing in terms of his growth in our defense. He came from a high school that he had he was required to play a lot of different positions. He didn’t always get to play inside linebacker, so it’s a position that he’s growing at, he’s got a lot to learn. He’s growing.”

Walker is still a key piece of Georgia’s scout team during the week in addition to the role he’s playing on defense. Smart has seen Walker’s confidence continue to grow. Smart feels that it is a key for Walker potentially having an even bigger role.

“He gets reps on the scout team each day,” Smart said. “Zayden works really hard. He’s going to be a good football player. He’s been a good rusher. He has been a good third-down guy for us and a good special teams player for us, and he’s gaining more confidence. I think as he gains more confidence, he’ll be able to contribute even more.”

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