Georgia LB Jalon Walker wins major award

Georgia football is quickly becoming linebacker University, if they aren't already.

UGA has a long history of developing elite linebackers, especially during the Kirby Smart era, and that trend is continuing once again this season as Jalon Walker was named the winner of the 2024 Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's best linebacker.

Jalon Walker wins 2024 Butkus Award

Walker had one of the best seasons in Georgia history from a linebacker this year. He was crucial part of Georgia's elite defense all season long, and was one of the leaders that everyone looked to when times got tough. And whenever Georgia needed a big play, Walker came through like every great leader does.

This season Walker recorded 58 tackles as well as 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Walker was at his best against Texas this season, where he recorded four of his 6.5 sacks this season. This includes the first meeting at Texas when he recorded three sacks and eight total tackles, which is the first time any player has done that against the No. 1 team in the country in over 20 years.

The crazy part about Walker winning this award is that Walker was only named to the All-SEC second team on Tuesday. So it looks like the SEC coaches have a little more tape to study because they clearly got this wrong.

Walker does still have a year of eligibility remaining, but it is very likely that he declares for the NFL Draft once Georgia's College Football Playoff run ends. So it would be wise to enjoy these next few games as much as you can, because this likely is the last few games that Walker will ever play at Georgia.

But regardless of if he returns for another season or not, Walker has left a legacy at Georgia that will withstand the test of time. He has won a National Championship, two SEC Championships and now the Butkus Award, and hopefully he will end his career with another national title next month.