Jalon Walker putting faith in Georgia's development plan as do-it-all linebacker

ATHENS, Ga. — Versatility is the name of the game for Georgia’s Jalon Walker. Listed on the roster as an inside linebacker, he does a little bit of it all for the Bulldog defense.

The North Carolina native was recruited out of Salisbury High School as the nation’s No. 4 linebacker by Glenn Schumann. Having spent the majority of his time at that level as an EDGE, the Bulldogs saw potential to play him in the role of a more traditional inside linebacker instead while still utilizing his skills as a pass rusher.

A sophomore in 2023, Walker led Georgia in sacks last season with 5.0. Two of those came in limited snaps in the SEC Championship Game, only going to show what he’s capable of with opportunities as an edge rusher. However, Kirby Smart and company have bigger plans for him than simply putting him out there and telling him, ‘Go get the quarterback.’ Wanting to help Walker become the best version of himself, something that’s been on the minds of both parties since the moment the relationship started during recruitment, Georgia is hoping to develop Walker as a traditional inside linebacker in their defense while still finding ways to showcase his natural ability on the edge.

“Finding that role for me, getting in the groove of things, having the balance of playing outside and inside at the same time, it’s just something I’ve been working on all spring, especially pushing the inside backer role,” Walker said when asked his emphasis for the spring. “Just growing off that tremendously and keying in on all my skills, learning the ins and outs of the defense as well.”

As has been emphasized with Walker throughout his recruitment and early parts of his collegiate career, Georgia has done this before. They’ve developed players at inside linebacker while those individuals possess outside linebacker-like skills, and you don’t have to look too far back to see it.

“Well, he played both. He played a little bit of what we call Sam/Star, played out in space. He did rush off the edge. He’s still a really good edge rusher. He knows that was part of the development plan because he had seen Quay do it. He had seen other football players in our program develop as an off-the-ball backer and into a linebacker,” Kirby Smart said, recalling the recruitment of Jalon and their pitch to him to best utilize his versatility. “He does both of those things really well. He missed last spring to develop at inside backer. He’s using this spring to springboard himself into a better all-around football player.”

Listed at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and considered an outside linebacker by many coming out of high school, Quay Walker earned his way onto the field at Georgia in specific pass rushing packages – or in blowout opportunities to learn and grow. Over time, the former five-star found his home as a starter for the elite 2021 Georgia defense that led the Dawgs to their first national title in 41 years. With 67 stops as a senior including 5.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and 25 quarterback pressures, Walker went as a first round pick to the Green Bay Packers and has had a successful start to his NFL career.

For Quay Walker, everything went according to plan, but it took time. For Jalon Walker, he’s bought in and believes in the plan of the coaching staff to best develop him as a player.

“Me being athletic enough to play the inside backer position and have the outside backer frame is rare. People have done it in the past. I’ve seen them do it, especially here,” Walker said. “We entrusted them for them to build my skillset, to build me as a player. I put my full trust in them.”

“I would call it a blessing to be able to do what I can do,” he added. “Not many players have that opportunity, so I don’t take it lightly.”