Jalon

Walker

The team’s official website estimates the deal will be worth $20.56 million, based on numbers provided by Over The Cap. The Falcons have also officially listed Walker, who lined up as a hybrid linebacker/EDGE at Georgia, as an EDGE on their roster. Walker is expected to serve as a defensive cornerstone for the foreseeable future and is expected to add hybrid linebacker duties to his job scope soon enough.

Walker (6’1/243) hails from a football family, with his father being a former D2 All-American and well-regarded high school football coach and his brother being a DB at Georgia State. He led the Bulldogs with 5.0 sacks with 26 pressures in 2023 despite serving as a rotational player who logged just 126 pass rush reps. Walker finally got a chance to start last year and made the most of his opportunity as a hybrid linebacker/edge, producing 60 tackles while leading the Dawgs with 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a 17.2 percent pass rush win percentage. The Third-Team AP All-American was also adorned with the coveted Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker. A twitchy athlete with sudden explosiveness and enough power to crack and stonewall pulling linemen, Walker hones in on ballcarriers like a lion in the Serengeti. However, he’s also a cerebral, savvy player who takes good pursuit lines and is always in the right position. On the pass rush, he posted incredible 45 percent-plus win percentages with his overarm move, inside counter, and a ferocious bull rush. The big issue with Walker is his tweener proportions make him ill-suited for full-time edge work, and off-ball linebackers don’t have the same devastating effect on opposing game plans. Regardless, Walker is a premium talent whose versatility and high football character make him a safe and projectable talent.

The Panthers (pick No. 8) have regularly been linked to Georgia LB Jalon Walker. The Buccaneers enter the draft with just six picks and could reasonably trade back from No. 19 in order to add one or two Day 2 selections. Seahawks GM John Schneider’s penchant for trading back has aggravated fans for years, and the team has glaring needs along the offensive line. Rapoport casts a wide net with his list, but his inclusion of these three teams is worth tracking as the draft gets underway.

The two players have reportedly “won the interview process” with their character and talent. Schrager adds that “you will not find a coach or general manager who doesn’t just rave about both young men.” Egbuka was a three-year starter at Ohio State and averaged 2.61 yards per route run over the course of his college career. Walker played a multifaceted role in Georgia’s defense, lining up as an edge rusher and inside linebacker. He led his team with 28 quarterback pressures and a 17.2 percent pass-rush win rate this year.

While Morgan also spent the press conference telling interested teams that the Panthers would be willing to move down, it was a little more telling that he spoke about the Georgia LB prospect in such finished terms. He didn’t do so at the combine. The Panthers have widely been perceived as interested in drafting a defender at No. 8 overall, and Walker would be a logical fit for them.

It was no surprise when Georgia earned a commitment from Walker (6'2/220), and he’s officially a Bulldog. Walker is listed as the No. 3 player at his position in the country, the No. 44 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 2 overall player in North Carolina, according to 247Sports.

Georgia was expected to earn Walker’s commitment and, well, they did. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound LB is among the nation’s top-100 recruits and on the cusp of being rated as a five-star. Walker is of the mold of the modern outside linebacker, sort of along the same lines as Isaiah Simmons or Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He showcases great speed and tackler, as well as the ability to flex out and cover in the slot. Walker is now Georgia’s 10th commit in a class already sitting at top-two in the country.

Walker is due to commit on March 28th. Rivals head analyst Mike Farrell believes Georgia is the team to beat in order to gain Walker’s commitment. Farrell cites that Walker (6'3/220) has followed a bunch of Georgia commits and coaches on social media, though that does seem to be the only “evidence” for pushing Georgia to the top. Clemson appear to be the other top school in the running.

Walker has narrowed down his lists of potential schools to six, too. As of now, Walker’s six schools are (in alphabetical order): Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio State. Walker plays his high school ball in North Carolina, so it’s entirely possible the idea of staying in state could sway him over these other top schools. Stay posted for Walker’s announcement a few weeks from now.