Pair of UGA Football Linebackers Declare for NFL Draft
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ATHENS - UGA Football has had a couple more players enter the 2025 NFL Draft, and the two latest come in the form of linebackers.
Do it all linebacker and Butkus Award winner Jalon Walker is foregoing his senior year to enter the NFL Draft. Smael Mondon, a senior, is doing the same after starting for Georgia at inside linebacker for the past three seasons, including the 2022 undefeated season.
Mondon and Walker are just the latest of that position group to set themselves up for draft succsess under Kirby Smart. Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and Roquan Smith are a few headline names that have gone onto have success in the NFL after their time at Georgia.
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Georgia’s linebacker room has taken a big hit with these declarations in addition to the announcement of sophomore outside linebacker Damon Wilson entering the transfer portal. However, Georgia’s depth and recruiting at that spot continues to be strong.
Walker had an excellent season that won him the award for the nation’s best linebacker. He finished with 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and was asked to play multiple roles by defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. He finished fourth on the team with 64 total tackles this season.
Walker received praise before the beginning of the season, and was clearly one of the best players on the team, but his draft stock elevated after Georgia’s trip to Austin in October. Walker recorded three sacks and terrorized Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. He became a household name in this year’s draft, and has a real chance to be selected in the first round.
Mondon, a three year starter, battled injuries this season and last season. He led Georgia in tackles in 2022 with 76 total on a defense that was filled with NFL talent. He was second on the team in tackles a year ago while fighting through an injury that eventually held him out of the Orange Bowl.
Mondon was a candidate to enter the draft last offseason like Tate Ratledge, but he ultimately decided to stay back for another season.
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