The 2024 Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s best linebacker, was presented to Georgia’s Jalon Walker on Wednesday. The third-year standout received 33% of first-place votes, trailed by Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman, Clemson’s Barrett Carter, UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, and Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr.
Walker has recorded 58 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, all while lining up in just about every place a linebacker can this season. He has helped anchor a Georgia defense that has only allowed a combined 57 points in the fourth quarter this season and given up 20 or less points in eight games.
“Jalon Walker’s versatility distinguished his contribution to Georgia’s defense,” the Butkus Award Selection Committee said. “He lined up all over the field and was impactful making plays at critical times on big stages. His all-around performance and hybrid skill set rose to the top of a very strong, deserving group of linebackers that was as equally distributed in vote totals as any race the past two decades.”
Walker joins Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean as the third Georgia player to win the award — all in the past eight years. He was also named to the All-SEC Second Team and is a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked about Walker’s greatest attribute following his nomination for the Butkus Award, and he had trouble limiting it to just one.
“I would be hard-measured to say what his greatest attribute is because his could be character,” Smart said. “His could be the ability to run, the ability to strike people and be violent and hit and flip a switch on the field, but he’s elite at all those things. This kid is a very, very special person on and off the field first, but he’s also very talented. So, I’m very honored and happy for him. He deserves that.”
