Nobody talks about the bittersweet losses that come with leading college programs. Right now, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is probably feeling that. They just lost 17 players to the 2025 NFL draft, so if Smart’s got big hopes for a national title this year, that’s a serious wake-up call. They last snagged the big one in 2022, right after winning in 2021, but luck hasn’t been on their side since. And talking about this season’s chances, Smart has already lost his powerhouse duo. Funny enough, those same two players are now the talk of the NFL, with 16 teams showing up to see what they can do—proving those Pro Bowl snubs didn’t get them down.

That’s got to be a proud moment for Coach Smart. Remember back in 2018, after losing to Nick Saban’s Alabama? Smart promised, “I think everyone can see Georgia is going be a force to be reckoned with.” He was all about keeping his guys, having stability, and building a program that lasts. But now it’s time for Smart to watch his guys fly the coop to the pros. Even though his powerful duo hasn’t found their NFL home yet, they’re already making teams sweat it out. We’re talking about Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams.

Just a week before the NFL Draft, these two top pass rushers held a private 20-minute workout at the school’s indoor facility. Right after that, analyst Ryan Kerley dropped some big news….

On the April 17th episode of the UGA Football on Dawg Post podcast, Kerley stated, “It was eerily quiet this morning at Georgia’s indoor practice facility until Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker come around the corner. Dozens of NFL scouts and team representatives followed them in. They had a private workout this morning.” Smart’s defensive duo only did on-field position drills, with no testing. Kerley continued, “They’re very different players both listed as edge rushers in this upcoming NFL draft. And neither of them had really worked out at Proday at Georgia’s Proday a month ago, at the combine a couple of months ago, until today.”  

Walker did not work out at the Combine or at Georgia’s Pro Day because of a quad injury. Williams, a former five-star recruit, played last season on a Grade 2 ankle sprain that held him out of two games. Later on, he got limited throughout the season. So, he chose not to participate in the combine in Indianapolis last month, citing his recovery from the injured ankle.

But the injuries could not dampen their God-gifted talents. Smart’s 6-foot-5, 265-pound weapon, Williams, comes as the rugged hybrid defender with heavy hands and a power-based game. His violent hand-to-hand combat maneuvers are enough to overwhelm blockers. Walker, on the other hand, can play as an inside linebacker or as an edge rusher. And Smart’s duo did leave a mark in front of half the league.

As Kerley confirmed, “They had their private workout in front of about half the league. I could confirm about 16 NFL teams there. So there may have been more, but there weren’t fewer than 16 NFL teams.” But one NFL Giant did miss out on the big event.  

Kirby Smart’s duo is going to give the $5.9 billion NFL giant a major regret

The Carolina Panthers threw quite the curveball on Thursday, April 17. Dave Canales’ program did not send representatives. The Athletic’s Joe Person also confirmed the lack of attendance. He added that the team’s brass remained behind to conduct their draft meetings. But this came as a shock. After all, $5.9 billion Carolina had their eyes on Smart’s Athens for quite some time now. Walker, in particular, had gained enough steam to be the frontrunner for the Panthers’ first-round pick. Well, they are in need of an outside linebacker like Walker.

Time to swallow some bitter truth. In 2024, Carolina showed up with the worst defense among the pro league giants. So, it’s obvious that they are an outside linebacker-hungry program. Meanwhile, Walker looks confident about himself. Smart’s key weapon shared, “You’re not going to find a lot of guys who can be at four positions in one series. I feel that makes me the different chess piece that no one else compares to.” Turns out that the Panthers would regret their move in the upcoming days.

For instance, the Atlanta Falcons are not ready to pass up on Kirby Smart’s power-packed duo. They met both Williams and Walker during Georgia’s Pro Day on March 12. Later on, Walker attended the Falcons’ local pro day on April 11, and Williams visited the Falcons on April 16. In this year’s draft, the Falcons hold the No. 15 pick. In that case, they may be out of range for Smart’s two key players. Turns out that the feelings are mutual here.

Just as the Falcons are fond of Williams and Walker, the two Georgia standouts are similarly high on Atlanta’s organization. Kirby Smart must be grinning ear to ear as NFL scouts circle his dynamic duo like hawks.