Georgia LB selected as Butkus Award finalist

Georgia Bulldogs junior linebacker Jalon Walker has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker, per the Butkus Foundation.

Walker, a Salisbury, North Carolina, native, is joined along with Clemson’s Barrett Carter, Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr., UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, and Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman as finalists. The winner will be announced on Dec. 10.

Walker is the first Georgia player to be named a finalist since Jamon Dumas-Johnson in 2022. Former Bulldogs standout and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean won the award in 2021 after also receiving the high school version of the honor.

This season, Walker ranks fourth on the team with 48 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and tied first with 5.5 sacks. Splitting time between inside and outside linebacker, he has also recovered two fumbles and has been a key leader on a Georgia defense that has allowed just 37 total points in the fourth quarter all season.

The Bulldogs (9-2, 6-2 SEC) will host Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3 ACC) in their regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 29. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.