jalon walker
Full Name: Jalon Nicholas Walker
Date of Birth: February 24, 2004
Age: 21 (as of May 2025)
Hometown: Conway, South Carolina
High School: Salisbury High School (Salisbury, NC)
College: University of Georgia
Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Years at School: 2022–2024
Redshirt Status: Did not redshirt
Transfer History: None
Eligibility Remaining: Declared for the 2025 NFL Draft
FootBall Information
Position(s) Played: Linebacker (Inside and Outside)
Pro Position Projection: Hybrid Linebacker / EDGE
Jersey Number: #11
Starter or Backup: Starter
Team Captain: Yes (2024 season)
Games Played / Started:
2022: 15 games played
2023: 14 games played
2024: 14 games played
Injury History: Suffered a quad injury during pre-draft training; expected to be ready for training camp
Coach History:
Head Coach: Kirby Smart
Defensive Coordinator: Glenn Schumann
Physical
Measurements
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 245 lbs
Arm Length: 32”
Hand Size: 10.25”
Wingspan: 79 7/8”
summary
summary
Jalon Walker is a dynamic and versatile linebacker prospect, known for his exceptional athleticism and adaptability on the field. Throughout his collegiate career at Georgia, Walker demonstrated the ability to excel both as an off-ball linebacker and as an edge rusher, showcasing a unique skill set that makes him a valuable asset in various defensive schemes.
In the 2024 season, Walker led the Bulldogs with 10.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks, earning him the prestigious Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. His performance also garnered him First-Team All-American and Second-Team All-SEC honors.During his collegiate career at Tennessee, Pearce showcased his pass-rushing prowess, recording 17.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons. His ability to convert speed to power, along with a solid rip move and inside spin, allows him to beat offensive tackles consistently. However, scouts have noted areas for improvement, including adding mass to enhance his run defense and refining his block recognition skills
Walker's strengths include his explosive first step, fluid change of direction, and functional strength, allowing him to effectively rush the passer and drop into coverage when needed. His versatility enables him to match up against running backs and tight ends in man coverage and to exhibit solid zone awareness
While Walker's athleticism is elite, he has areas for improvement, such as refining his block-shedding techniques and enhancing his consistency in coverage assignments. Despite these areas, his high football IQ and leadership qualities position him as a promising prospect at the professional level.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, Walker was selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Falcons, who valued his hybrid capabilities and potential to bolster their defensive front. His addition is expected to bring immediate impact and versatility to the Falcons' linebacker corps