17 Bulldogs declared for the draft, and nine are ranked on ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper’s 2025 NFL draft big board, which features the top 150 draft prospects.

Round 1 of the NFL draft started Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, rounds 2-3 are Friday, beginning at 7 p.m. and rounds 4-7 are on Saturday, beginning at noon.

Here are who was selected in Round 1 of the NFL draft:

Linebacker Jalon Walker

Walker was ranked No. 10 on Kiper’s NFL draft big board, and there isn’t much question as to why. The 243-pound linebacker notched 89 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in 14 games last season.

In three seasons with Georgia, Walker accumulated 89 combined tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier. He’s a versatile defender, with experience as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. His sideline-to-sideline speed gets your attention when you watch the tape.

Walker was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 15th overall pick.

Safety Malaki Starks

Starks was ranked No. 22 on Kiper’s draft board, and that’s because the safety recorded 67 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups and 1 interception over 14 games in 2024.

In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Starks recorded 197 combined tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 17 passes defended and 6 interceptions. He was an All-American in 2022.

Starks has the skill set to affect the game in a variety of ways. He’s a force against the run from the back end and doesn’t miss many tackles. He closes so fast in coverage, allowing him to break up some passes, and he has spent time lined up over the slot. Plus, he has outstanding hands to finish plays.

Starks was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 27 overall pick.

DE Mykel Williams

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end recorded 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 12 games with the Bulldogs in 2024. Williams missed two games early in the 2024 season with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain.

Williams recorded 14 sacks across 40 games for the Bulldogs.

Williams is extremely explosive and wins as a pass rusher with speed-to-power. His bend off the edge is outstanding. The tools are all there, and his upside is immense.

Williams was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 11 overall pick.

Other UGA players eligible for the NFL draft

• Center Jared Wilson
• Guard Tate Ratledge
• Linebacker Smael Mondon Jr.
• Guard Dylan Fairchild
• Running back Trevor Etienne
• Defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• Defensive tackle Warren Brinson
• Defensive lineman Chaz Chambliss
• Safety Dan Johnson
• Wide receiver Dominic Lovett
• Wide receiver Arian Smith
• Defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse
• Offensive tackle Xavier Truss
• Tight end Benjamin Yurosek

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