Butkus Award-winning season 'a dream in the making' for Jalon Walker

ATHENS, Ga. — This time last year, the buzz word around Jalon Walker was “HLB,” a.k.a. hybrid linebacker. Walker, an inside linebacker by name, was ready to move into a role playing more on the outside. Not only was it supposed to be beneficial for Georgia but also for Walker, a former four-star and No. 4-ranked player at his position in the Class of 2022 who had played but not quite reached his potential in his first two seasons on campus.

Now, as Walker and the Bulldogs make their way to New Orleans for the Allstate Sugar Bowl and a matchup against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, the buzz word around Walker is “Butkus Award.” Walker became Georgia’s third-ever winner of the trophy given annually to the nation’s top linebacker and leads the team in tackles for loss (10.5) and is tied for the team-high in sacks with 6.5.

“It was a dream in the making,” Walker said about winning the the Butkus Award. “To have an opportunity to be with Coach Schumann from since my recruitment, three long, hard years with Coach Schumann since my freshman year, progressing and building my talent and skill sets through those many years and then finally getting awarded the Butkus Award this past month, you know, it was just a great honor.”

Walker made winning the Butkus Award a goal of his before arriving in Athens, taking pictures with the trophy on his official visit and making it a part of his decision process. He chose Georgia because it was the place that gave him the best possible chance to accomplish his aspirations.

Glenn Schumann knew that too. Signing Walker in the Class of 2022, he was set to be part of an attempt to replace Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and Channing Tindall. Georgia had Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon on campus already and expected to take on starting roles their sophomore seasons. Walker played a part in the team’s success on its way to a perfect season and a second straight National Championship, but there was a “wait your turn” element to his arrival too.

As a freshman, Walker played in all 15 games for Georgia. He blocked a punt that resulted in a safety in the Bulldogs’ non-conference game against Kent State. Then, as a sophomore, he posted a team-high five sacks. All together though, the two seasons combined for just 29 tackles.

This year, Walker has almost doubled his production from the previous two combined. He has 57 tackles in just 13 games, having at least one more chance to add to his total.

“This award is about so much more than the player you are. It’s about the person you are, the leader you are, the way you care about other people and the community. This is an all encompassing award that goes way beyond football,” Schumann said in a video to Walker after he received the trophy. ” … You’ve done everything you need to do. You deserve this. You’re a special player but an even more special person.”

“I think when you’re in the coaching profession, it’s about helping people achieve their dreams, whether it’s the high school level, college level, professional level,” he added, speaking to reporters on Friday to preview the Sugar Bowl. “That was something that was really important to him. I think it influenced why he came here because of seeing the results in the past and the ability to do that here and develop as a complete player. And just really happy for him and his family, because that’s something that means a lot to them and any linebacker.”

Georgia-Notre Dame is another big game for the Bulldogs, who have played plenty this season. It’s also one that has potential to be Walker’s final outing for UGA if things don’t go the right way. He’s doing whatever he can to make sure that isn’t the case

“We’ve been there. We’ve seen the outcomes of the game, both win and loss. We know how to embrace the crowd environment, embrace the environment that’s going on,” Walker said about Georgia’s big game experience. “I feel like for me now, every game’s a big game. So at this point in time, we just have to go within the system and play football.”

Kickoff time on New Year’s Day is set for 8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN. At the time of publication, Georgia is a 2-point favorite according to VegasInsider.