From the stadium to spotlight, how Georgia’s Jalon Walker

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN

  • Elder WriterNov 1, 2024, 07:45 AM ET Close Senior college football
  • writer Author of 7 books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

ATHENS, Ga.– When Jalon Walker was a kid, he told his mom he was going to become famous and show up in Hollywood in a limousine.As a potential

first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, there’s a likelihood the Georgia linebacker might soon end up being a home name.And if professional football does not exercise for some reason, the ambitious sports commentator and voice-over actor may still operate in Hollywood one day.You might have currently heard Walker’s deep and resonant voice in one of the SEC’s”It Just Suggests More” TV commercials. That’s not the only way Walker is using his commanding pipes

. He’s one of the leaders of a system that is starting to play like dominant Georgia defenses of the current previous going into Saturday’s game against Florida at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville(3:30 p.m. ET/ABC/ESPN+).” I don’t take that gently, “Walker stated.”I feel that our standard at the University of Georgia is exceptionally long and historical, and I wish to keep that torch and flame going. I want to set an example for the more youthful guys to see what it takes and what you require to do to be a leader.” In the Bulldogs’30-15 success at Texas on Oct. 19, Walker had seven takes on, 3 sacks and a fumble healing– all in the very first half. Breaking offending deals with Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cameron Williams, who are considered potential high NFL draft choices, Walker was the very first player in a minimum of the past 20 seasons to have three sacks and seven tackles against a No. 1-ranked group in the AP poll.After Georgia’s defense gave up 39 points in a 41-34 loss at Alabama on Sept. 28 and 21 in the 2nd half of a 41-31 triumph versus Mississippi State two weeks later, coach Kirby Smart called on Walker and others to take ownership of the unit.The Bulldogs reacted with seven sacks and 11 deals with for loss and locked out the Longhorns in the very first half. “He gets everybody pumped up,” Bulldogs cornerback Daylen Everette stated of Walker.”He’s doing his task, and then even off the field, his leadership, he encourages people to be excellent.

He’s a terrific leader, excellent guy.” Walker has been around football his entire life. His father, Curtis Walker, was a Division II All-American linebacker at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina

. He still holds the school’s single-game record with 25 takes on versus Wofford in 1991 and was a group captain and MVP.In 1995, Curtis joined Catawba’s training staff as linebackers coach and was promoted to protective coordinator in 2001. 2 years later, Curtis was hired as Coastal Carolina’s first defensive organizer under

coach David Bennett. He spent 10 seasons with the Chanticleers.After one season as Western Carolina’s defensive coordinator, Curtis was worked with as Catawba’s head coach in December 2012. He was the first Black head football coach at his university and at any school in the South Atlantic Conference.Jalon and his bro Deuce, who is 2 1/2 years more youthful, went to practices of their daddy’s groups nearly every day when they were old enough.” I got the chance to be around football a lot,”Jalon said.” Being on the sideline, being at his games, being in the locker room, being at his practice. It was a great opportunity for me to learn football in a different method, from a various viewpoint.” Jalon Walker participates in football drills at a young age. Walker Household Jalon didn’t start playing football until the seventh grade. His little Christian-based intermediate school didn’t have a team, so he played basketball, soccer and track and field maturing. His dad was pleased when Jalon signed up with the Salisbury 49ers, a recreational league group.”It was a little unusual being the head coach in this neighborhood, and my kid’s not even playing football, “Curtis joked.”We were excited that he finally decided that he wished to play.””I value my daddy, because he let

me fall in love with football myself,”Jalon said.”He didn’t push me to play football. He just let football pertained to me. “At Salisbury High School, Jalon assisted the Hornets reach the Class 2A state championship game as a sophomore. The next season, they defeated St. Pauls High School 42-14 to win a state title. Jalon had 12 deals with in the final contest. During an 11-game season, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to the fact that of COVID-19 limitations, he had 97 tackles, 19 for loss and 8 sacks. Jalon and his sibling Deuce pose after winning the state title. Walker household Jalon was ranked the No. 3 outdoors linebacker in the country and No. 1 prospect in the state in the Class of 2022 by ESPN Recruiting. He dedicated to Georgia in March 2021, choosing the Bulldogs over Clemson, North Carolina and Ohio State.” He’s simply such a high-character kid with high moral values and a terrific family

,”Smart said. “You think back to all those wins you get in recruiting and how you actually don’t understand how essential they are. I think back to when he called and informed us he was coming, what that changed his life towards and

what it altered for us.”Curtis and his partner, LaSheka, who works as an advancement officer at Catawba College, raised their children to be well-rounded trainees and not just professional athletes. Deuce is a freshman defensive back at Georgia State.LaSheka motivated her kids to compose their objectives on Post-it notes, which littered the within their closet and cabinet.

She recited Habakkuk 2:2 from the Bible:”Write the vision and make it plain. “Throughout a Sunday preaching at Southern City AME Zion Church in Salisbury, the pastor announced that he was searching for a child to contend in a singing contest. The winner would be awarded a prize.”Jalon’s eyes illuminated,”LaSheka stated. “Therefore, of course, in true Jalon design, he went and won the prize. He won it a few years back-to-back. [His musical talent] comes from simply being around it and hearing it.”At that time, Jalon’s voice didn’t seem like the late James Earl Jones’– his high-pitched tone was more like Cyndi Lauper’s.

Soon, Jalon was singing with the church choir and performing with 100 Male in Black, a community male choir in Salisbury.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated After Curtis ended up being Catawba’s head coach, Jalon sang the national anthem at the Indians ‘home openers. He also performed at Catawba basketball and minor-league baseball games. Curtis remembered a female sobbing in the stands throughout among Jalon’s performances.Jalon likewise used up acting; he was the Tin Man in the “Wizard of Oz” and Scott Kunkle in “Dear Edwina”musicals at school.

“For all those who understand

Jalon Walker, you understand his work ethic,”Curtis said.” You understand that guy grinds. When he did the musicals in middle school, he existed every day, as long as it took for him to learn his lines and best his songs.”When he was running for the trainee government president in high school, he

did everything in his power to make certain that he was going to be the one selected. It’s the same work ethic we see now.

“Curtis resigned as Catawba College’s coach in November 2022. He works as an analyst at Livingstone College in Salisbury, which provides him more versatility to attend his boys’games.Jalon’s opportunities at Georgia didn’t come quickly. He played behind veterans like Nolan Smith Jr., Smael Mondon Jr. and Jamon Dumas-Johnson the previous two seasons. Still, he led the Bulldogs with five sacks to choose 20 deals with in 14 games in 2023. “I feel that there was advancement that I’ve always required,”Jalon stated.”I feel like that time I took learning and being able to be developed by the coaches here has actually helped a lot. We have fantastic players here. But when an opportunity was presented to me, I

certainly had to profit from every opportunity that I got.” In spite of not beginning a game at Georgia until this season, Jalon has actually opened the eyes of NFL scouts. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the No. 10 prospect eligible for the 2025 NFL draft; Matt Miller has him at 14th.

Walker tackles Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren Jr., assisting Georgia to a 41-31 win. Todd Kirkland/Getty Images Jalon’s pronouncement to his mother several years ago may just be coming true.Before the Bulldogs played TCU in the CFP National Championship

in Los Angeles in January 2023, Jalon checked out with his parents and brother in a hotel lobby. LaSheka advised Jalon of what he ‘d informed her as a child. “Well boy, you made it,” LaSheka told him.”You may not have made it in the limousine, however youmade it to Hollywood.””Recalling, you hear a kid state that and you believe they’re simply talking and dreaming,”LaSheka stated.” It melts my heart. It truly makes me delighted. I smile from ear to ear since ever since he was a little kid, he always understood that he wished to do something great.”