BREAKING: Eagles set to land 5-star coveted linebacker from SEC powerhouse
If you’re at all familiar with the NFL draft and its yearly broadcast, you likely know that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has a strong preference for selecting defensive players from the University of Georgia.
This tendency is well-established. In the 2022 and 2023 drafts, the Eagles chose five defensive players from Georgia’s consecutive national championship teams, including all three of their first-round picks.
Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department believes this pattern may continue in 2025, projecting the Eagles to select Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker with the 26th overall pick in their latest mock draft.
Bleacher Report notes: “All jokes aside about the Eagles picking yet another Georgia Bulldog, Jalon Walker would offer defensive coordinator Vic Fangio a versatile piece who can play as an off-ball linebacker, work off the edge, and attack from various positions. His downhill burst and speed are impressive and often overwhelming for offenses. … Walker has also demonstrated the ability to cover and make plays in open space.”
From N.C. Prep Star to CFP National Champion
Walker, the top high school prospect in North Carolina as a senior at Salisbury High, claimed a College Football Playoff National Championship as a true freshman at Georgia.
In 2023, despite not being a primary edge rusher or starting any games, he led the Bulldogs with 5.0 sacks. His breakout 2024 season includes 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, and 2 fumble recoveries through the first eight games.
Walker solidified his first-round draft stock during a standout performance in Georgia’s 30-15 win over No. 1 Texas on October 19, posting 7 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery. ESPN reported it was the first time in 20 years a player achieved at least 3.0 sacks and 7 tackles against a top-ranked team.
Philly’s Recent History of Taking Georgia Stars
If there’s any hesitation about the Eagles taking another Georgia player in the first round, it’s understandable given the mixed results from their past selections. While they’ve drafted five players from Georgia in the last three years, none have yet made a big impact like an NFL All-Pro or Pro Bowl appearance. That includes first-round picks like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nolan Smith.
Mel Kiper Jr. currently has Jalon Walker, standing at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect for the 2025 draft. Kiper praised Walker for his speed and explosion, noting his ability to disrupt plays as a pass rusher and his versatility as an off-ball linebacker. His breakout performance against Texas, where he recorded three sacks, also stood out.
Walker also has strong football roots—his dad, Curtis Walker, was the head coach at Catawba College for 10 years and has a background as a defensive coordinator.
Would you like me to remember the details about Walker and the Eagles’ recent Georgia picks for future chats? Also, I could keep track of anything else related to the draft or NFL team strategies if you want!