6. LB Jalon Walker enters the NFL Draft
As mentioned, Georgia had many players declare for the 2025 NFL Draft over the last few days, and linebacker Jalon Walker was one of those players.
Walker has only been in college for three seasons, so he could have returned to Georgia for one more season. However, after the season Walker just had, most UGA fans were expecting to see Walker turn pro.
Walker finished the season with 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two passes defended. This season was good enough for Walker to win the Butkus Award which goes to the nation's best linebacker. Walker is the third linebacker to earn this award during the Smart era, which speaks to how great Smart has been at recruiting and developing this position.
Walker will undoubtedly be a first round draft pick in this summer's draft, and while every Georgia fan wished he made a return to Athens, it makes complete sense why he made the choice not to and turn pro.