ATHENS, Ga. — Two of Georgia’s defensive stars have made the expected decision to enter the NFL Draft.
Linebacker Jalon Walker, the 2024 Butkus Award winner, and edge rusher Mykel Williams made it official on Monday, announcing their decisions on social media. Both are projected first-round picks with the potential to be selected in the top 10.
Williams was a factor all three seasons at Georgia, leading the team with 4.5 sacks as a freshman when the Bulldogs won the national championship. He missed a few games with injuries this season. In 40 career games, Williams had 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.
AGTG ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ohMOklOvZV
— Mykel Williams (@MykelWilliams_) January 6, 2025
Walker emerged this past season as one of the team’s top defensive players and one of its overall leaders. In his first two years, Georgia had trouble finding a spot for him due to his versatility and other talented players at the linebacker spots. But the coaches made sure to get him on the field this season as much as possible, and he led the team in tackles for loss (10.6) and sacks (6.5) while racking up 60 total tackles.
Safety Malaki Starks, another junior, is also expected to declare for the draft, as he’s a projected first-rounder.
But defensive lineman Christen Miller announced earlier on Monday he will return for another season. Miller has a high upside but missed a lot of time this year, and his return bolsters the defensive front for 2025.
The Bulldogs are also awaiting NFL decisions from their top cornerback, Daylen Everette, and starting end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
Georgia is loaded at linebacker and edge, so the losses of Walker and Williams, while substantial, will open up chances for talented youngsters. That includes freshman linebackers Justin Williams and Chris Cole and sophomore edge Gabe Harris.
A handful of other defensive starters were seniors this year: outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss, inside linebacker Smael Mondon, nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse and defensive tackle Warren Brinson.
(Photo Jalon Walker: Steve Limentani / ISI Photos / Getty Images)
