ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 16: Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) celebrates a big hit during the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on November 16, 2024, on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 16: Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) celebrates a big hit during the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on November 16, 2024, on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rajvir Bal Goes BIG on Jalon Walker Hours Before The Draft

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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 31: Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) wears the Old Leather Helmet following the AFLAC Kickoff college football game against the Clemson Tigers on August 31, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It’s just a matter of time before Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker is fitted for his gold jacket in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

BIG WORDS

I know…and they are not words that I take lightly with my future in front of me. This prospect is just that good, though.

I placed an early first-round grade on Walker after a five-game film study over the winter. Since then, I’ve added seven more games, bringing the total to 12.

Walker is the full package — plain and simple.

He has everything I look for in a prospect: size, speed, and a nasty streak that would make the most fearless of quarterbacks cower.

Background

Walker was a 5-star recruit out of high school in North Carolina, where he played football, basketball, and competed in track and field. 

He enrolled at Georgia in early 2022. 

Walker’s Stats:

2023: 

20 tackles (14 solo)

5 sacks

1 forced fumble

2024: 

60 tackles (37 solo)

6.5 sacks

2 passes defended

2 fumble recoveries

Walker is in the 35th percentile for height and the 62nd percentile for weight (NFLDraftBuzz.com)

#11 Jalon Walker 6-foot-2, 245 pounds 
Rajvir Bal’s Fall 2025 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)
Projected by 79.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 24, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Jalon Walker Puts the “Dawg” in Bulldog

Total 2024 game film reviewed: Notre Dame, Texas, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Tennessee Tech, Auburn, and Florida (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Built for Violence

Walker is a violent defender. His thick, muscular frame allows him to deliver strong, crushing hits regularly.

His quick block shedding may be his best trait, as tackles struggle to keep their hands on him for long. He’s got enough speed to beat tackles, and enough power to beat tight ends and fullbacks.

It’s truly impressive.

Walker is always hunting. He’s not simply trying to make a play; he’s aiming to end it. He appears to possess a thumper mentality and stays ready to lay the wood on people. Plus, his low center of gravity makes it hard for blockers to move him.

Athleticism

Walker’s impressive sideline-to-sideline speed allows him to fly around the field and make plays. He has quick hips that move laterally over and around blockers, and his quick burst enables him to explode through gaps like a monster. He has a relentless motor that drives him to play through the whistle.

High Football IQ

Walker doesn’t just have impressive physical traits, his football mind is also imposing. As a hybrid edge/linebacker, he had to play assignment football and understand his responsibilities (which were constantly changing).

Not only did he accomplish this remarkably well, but he also demonstrated an innate feel for the game that allowed him to be in the right places at the right times.

Plays With An Edge

Walker plays like the opposing team stole his lunch money.

He hits like it’s personal and wants to destroy every ounce of hope left in the other team by the end of the game.

My type of player.

Drawbacks

I could sing his praises all day, but Walker does have some shortcomings.

He had a worrying tendency to disappear during stretches of film, showcased by his lower sack totals. This does ring a slight alarm bell, but it could have to do with the inconsistent scheming of Georgia’s defense.

If Walker can figure out these inconsistencies, he’ll be unstoppable.

Ten Adjectives

Violent. Inconsistent. Explosive. Nasty. Powerful. Intelligent. Physical. Aggressive. Fearless. Dominant.

NFL Crystal Ball

SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos forces Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers to fumble the ball during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers

Las Vegas Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

    Pro Comp: Outside linebacker and eight-time Pro-Bowler Von Miller.

    Final Words

    Walker’s tape shows a complete linebacker ⎯one who understands leverage, plays with intent, and never turns down contact. The production might not scream superstar, but the film does.

    He’s a tone-setter, a problem-solver, and a future Hall of Famer in the right system.

    Rajvir Bal is a high school student from the Virginia area. He grew up a rabid Washington Redskins fan, attending more than 30 games, and has enjoyed the team’s high points and low points throughout his life. He plays varsity football and basketball. Rajvir has taken an interest in the NFL Draft since middle school when his team picked Montez Sweat and Dwayne Haskins in the first round. His favorite NFL player ever flips between Rob Gronkowski and Brett Favre, and his favorite athlete is LeBron James. He has been writing his own scouting reports since 2020, and is excited for the opportunities FirstRoundMock provides.

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