Georgia landed its 10th commitment for the 2025 class on Sunday when Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County five-star Zayden Walker announced his decision to play for the Dawgs. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound prospect chose South Carolina, Miami, Penn State, and 25 other offers. The addition of Walker is the second linebacker commitment for assistant Glenn Schumann in the 2025 cycle, joining Buford (Ga.) four-star Jadon Perlotte, and moves Georgia’s class up six spots to No. 9 in the 247Sports Team Class Rankings. Walker is ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the country, the nation’s No. 2 linebacker, and the No. 2 overall recruit in Georgia on 247Sports.
Watch the junior highlights for Walker above. As a junior, Walker made 40 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hurries, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a pass breakup, with 77 carries for 518 yards and 13 touchdowns and 10 catches for 169 yards and four touchdowns on offense. As a sophomore, Walker had 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hurries, three sacks, and 365 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Walker ran for 1,001 yards and 18 touchdowns as a freshman, with 39 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hurries, and 4.5 sacks.
Since he arrived at Georgia, Schumann has been the primary recruiter for five players ranked as five-stars – Nolan Smith, Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, Richard LeCounte, and Xavian Sorey Jr. Schumann has coached the only two players in program history who have won the Butkus Award – Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. Another of Schumann’s linebackers, Quay Walker, was a first round pick in the NFL Draft, while Channing Tindall was a third-round selection without ever starting a game for the Dawgs.
Below is the 247Sports Scouting Report for Walker from May 15:
“Two-way high school playmaker who displays excellent athleticism at multiple positions in a 3-4 defense. Shows the ability to play in an on- or off-ball role in an odd front. Possesses the requisite size and growth potential to add additional weight to his frame. Quick-twitch explosive athlete who shows the ability to win with quickness, burst, and power off the edge. Outstanding play speed with very little wasted motion. Plays as fast as he processes. Shows the ability to stack and shed to defeat blocks with violence in the box. Downhill ‘backer who displays the speed and athleticism to play sideline to sideline. Limited context in pass coverage but based on athletic evidence, doesn’t appear to be a concern. Heady football player with ready-to-play frame at the collegiate level. Value the on- and off-ball versatility. Projects as a 3-4 off-ball linebacker at the next level who can deploy as a situational pass rusher. Immense long-term upside with early-round potential.”
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