2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 2 Days (Jailin Walker)

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

#2

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff carries on into its final days! For the 100 days leading up to kickoff, we at Hoosier Huddle have featured every player from the 2024 roster in anticipation of Indiana’s first game of the season against Florida International University. Today, we highlight two players that will don the number two jersey this season, Jailin Walker and Tayven Jackson.

Jailin Walker (Senior)

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

Height: 6’1”

Weight:  218 Pounds

Position: Linebacker

Indiana feels confident in its starting linebacker duo of Aiden Fisher and today’s player highlight, Jailin Walker. Walker was one the 13 transfers that Curt Cignetti brought along with him from James Madison and stands out as one of the best. Walker had a phenomenal junior season last year, starting 10 games and earning honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference honors. He totaled 61 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and forced three fumbles on the year. In his career, he has appeared in 32 games and made 20 starts.

It will not take long to notice Walker on the field as his speed stands out among the rest. Before the season, Walker made Bruce Feldman of The Athletic’s annual College Football Freaks List, ranked 63 out of 101 selections. Walker has clocked a top speed of 22.5 mph on the GPS this offseason and also recorded a 40-inch vertical jump.

““It’s fun,” Walker said after a fall camp practice about playing in defensive coordinator Bryant Haines' defense. “The motto is fast, physical, relentless. So, Haines’ defense relies on speed and blitzes. He says freedom equals discipline, so he just lets us fly around, make plays and just enjoy it with the guys.”

Walker will certainly be flying around on defense this year, hoping to recreate the magic that he and Fisher had last season in which James Madison led the nation in tackles for loss (114).