Georgia football linebacker Jalon Walker has won the 2024 Butkus Award for nation's best linebacker over Clemson's Barrett Carter, Ole Miss' Chris Paul Jr., UCLA's Carson Scwesinger and Oklahoma's Danny Stutsman.

Walker named Butkus Award winner Junior Linebacker Jalon Walker has been named the nation’s best linebacker, becoming the third Georgia Bulldog to win the Butkus Award since 2017, joining Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean.

Georgia inside linebacker Jalon Walker (11) during Georgia’s game against Texas in the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Walker became the third linebacker in eight years to win the Butkus Award on Wednesday. Photo/Tony Walsh/UGAAA

University of Georgia junior Jalon Walker, former Salisbury High standout, has been named the college winner of the Butkus Award that goes to the nation’s top linebacker. Butkus Awards also are given for high school and the NFL.

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.

Georgia football linebacker Jalon Walker has won the Butkus Award. The Georgia Bulldogs won the SEC conference title against Texas this past week in another ov

The 40th annual collegiate Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s best collegiate linebacker was presented today to Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. The award was presented formally during a surprise appearance by Matt Butkus,