2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ja’Laun Walton, DB, Shaw University

• Name: Ja’Laun Walton 
• Position: DB
• College: Shaw University 
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 195  
• Twitter: jalaunwalton
• Instagram: j.walton0

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft? 

What makes me a top prospect at my position is being a ballhawk and always finding a way to get to the ball. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you? 

One thing that teams should know about me is that I am very versatile and I can be  plugged in anywhere in the backend. I have experience and made critical plays outside, in the slot and both free safety and strong safety. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I would want to donate to St Jude’s or even start my own foundation that is similar to that. 

Who was your role model? 

My role model is my father. Seeing him leave early in the morning to working two jobs and getting home late at night and getting up to do the same thing 5 days out the week without making any excuses says a lot about him as a man. That motivates me and pushes me to give him and my other loved ones a life that they deserve. They have always made sacrifices for me so I can pursue my dreams and goals. 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

The New England Patriots

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

The most underrated teammate at my school is Justin Wheeler. He is a Freshman Quarterback that has a lot on his plate but is always getting things done and leading the offense. I admire his work ethic and the person that he is on and off the field. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?  

My biggest pet peeve is personal hygiene.

Who is your favorite teacher ever? 

My favorite teacher ever is Mrs. Ruffin when I went to Browns Ferry Elementary school.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

The hardest moment in my life that I had to overcome was going into camp after suffering from an accident where my hip and ribs was bruised and losing a close friend during the beginning of the season. I fell into a depression because a lot of things wasn’t going right and I didn’t really go to anyone to talk to. I thank God for allowing me to get through those mental battles that I was going through and allow me to progress and elevate as a person.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

It would definitely be Zaxby’s!

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack is Gushers and Skittles Gummies! 

What is your degree in? 

Business and Management 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

I would want to have dinner with Kobe Bryant, Deion Sanders, and Jalen Ramsey. They would be my three because I would want to pick their brains and just take in all of the knowledge that they would be able to bless me with. And they are also my favorite athletes. 

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness is not being as social with everyone. It is something that I am getting better at and working on. You would never know who you can network with or even have by your side as a close friend in the future.