Jalon Walker named to SEC Football Leadership Council

Georgia freshman linebacker Jalon Walker was named a member of the SEC Football Leadership Council this week. The Salisbury, N.C. native is headed to Birmingham as the representative for the Bulldogs where each of the league’s 14 schools will send one student-athlete for a weekend of events.

The agenda includes a meeting with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, a review of NCAA and SEC legislative items, a conversation with SEC Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Katie O’Neal and engagement with football officials on rules of the game, student-athlete/referee interaction and careers in officiating.  The group will also review SEC student-athlete engagement opportunities.

Other student-athlete representatives include the following: DeVonta Smith (Alabama), Cameron Little (Arkansas), Malcolm Johnson (Auburn), Derek Wingo (Florida), Eli Cox (Kentucky), Mekhi Wingo (LSU), Cedric Johnson (Ole Miss), Hayes Hammond (Mississippi State), Darius Robinson (Missouri), Kai Kroeger (South Carolina), Omari Thomas (Tennessee), LT Overton (Texas A&M) and Ethan Barr (Vanderbilt).

Walker was in his first year at Georgia this past season, playing in all 15 games. He totaled nine tackles including two for loss with a single sack on the season. That came in the National Championship Game against TCU, taking down Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Walker blocked a punt against Kent State early in the season before totaling four tackles versus Vanderbilt in extensive action. Then, after Nolan Smith went down with an injury halfway through the season, Walker stepped into a bigger role on the edge and in third-down packages. He had half a tackle for loss in back to back games to close out the regular season before the sack to close out the year.

“Yeah he’s tough man he’s a physical player, really smart, he’s picking things up. He’s helped us in multiple roles, he’s playing inside backer, he’s playing sub-rusher, talented talented kid,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said about Walker before the season. “What I love about Jalon is he’s a coach’s son, so I’m always particular to those guys because of the fact that I grew up in that environment. He just is so respectful and does things the right way and represents us the right way and he’s going to be a helluva player.”

Walker was ranked the No. 53 player in the country and No. 4 linebacker coming out of high school. He was a consensus top-100 player according to all four of the outlets in the industry. On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power offered the following scouting summary on Walker, who reminds On3 of former Alabama linebacker and Buffalo Bills second-round pick Reggie Ragland, who just finished his seventh season in the league.

A high-floor, versatile box defender who combines on-field production with athletic upside. Has long arms and a sturdy, muscled build that is well-proportioned. Has clearly spent time in the weight room. A strong form-tackler with considerable striking power. Extremely strong at the point of contact, regularly knocking skill players backwards. Primarily plays outside the tackle box. A very effective blitzer with the ability to time his rush with the snap count. In the backfield in a flash and has the high-end athleticism to track down plays from the back side. Can play sideline-to-sideline as a pursuit defender. More of a flats defender than a linebacker who will cover running backs and tight ends in space. Plays with high energy and intelligence. Looks best fit to play as a SAM linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Makes a bunch of plays behind the line of scrimmage. Also sees time on offense as a pass catcher and short yardage runner. Helped his high school to a state title as a junior in a shortened spring season.