Jalon Walker Wins 2024 Butkus Award

Jalon Walker of the Georgia Bulldogs has been awarded the 2024 Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker, becoming the third Georgia player to receive this honor since 2017, following Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. Throughout the season, Walker showcased remarkable skills, recording 57 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, contributing significantly to Georgia's defense. As the Bulldogs prepare for the College Football Playoff, they reflect on their strong defensive performance that helped secure the SEC Championship against Texas. Meanwhile, Christian Jones, a Nebraska football signee, has also been recognized with the high school Butkus Award after an impressive senior season, where he accumulated 96 tackles and demonstrated versatility as a player. The selection committee praised Jones for his disruptive playing style and complete linebacker skills. Both awards highlight the exceptional talent emerging from college football programs in 2024.