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2019 NFL Draft: 5 biggest prospects to watch in the Sugar Bowl

By Andrew Miller

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: D'Andre Walker #15 and Keyon Brown #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs run out on the field during warm ups before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: D'Andre Walker #15 and Keyon Brown #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs run out on the field during warm ups before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: D’Andre Walker #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after sacking Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the third quarter in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: D’Andre Walker #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after sacking Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the third quarter in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

It seems like Georgia gets some talented linebacker or defensive lineman to emerge as a first or second round NFL prospect each year out of nowhere. Head coach Kirby Smart is a magician at developing defensive talent which draws back to his roots from his previous position as the defensive coordinator under Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Georgia started to recruit elite defensive talent year-after-year when Smart took over in Athens a few years back. That program needs to recruit top five, or at least top 10 classes, in the nation each year to keep up with the likes of the Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers, etc. in the SEC now.

However, one defensive standout for the Dawgs who’s recruitment dates back to the days previous to Smart’s tenure is senior linebacker D’Andre Walker. The 6-foot-3 and 250 pound linebacker/edge rusher was originally recruited by former Georgia head coach Mark Richt before his freshman campaign back in 2015.

Walker is putting together a solid senior campaign for Georgia that includes 45 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and four forced fumble. One of the best individual performances of the season for Walker came in the SEC Championship Game loss to the Crimson Tide where he posted five tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. He showed out at the right time and could see his 2019 NFL Draft stock rise even higher after the Sugar Bowl.

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