He has good size and clear eyes from the second level, with a talent for recognizing play design. Not having to go as often to a dime package with six defensive backs can keep an opponent guessing on third down. ", "Maybe if he is unleashed, you unlock his potential, and he becomes a dominant player commensurate with being the No. Walker is the third Bulldog off the board in the top 22 picks. He had six sacks and 7 tackles for losses in 2021, but just 9 sacks and 13 TFLs over the course of his three seasons. Latest on Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Related Posts. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "It's something I'll never forget. "For us it was always a race to the ball," Walker said of Georgia's loaded defense, which saw two linemen Travon Walker at No. Edge Travon Walker, No. Ive been through kind of like hell and back, Walker said Thursday night, explaining how he went from backup a year ago to a Green Bay Packers first-round pick. On that last one, he beat Kaleb McGary inside, forcing Chris Lindstrom over to help and he ultimately held Hutchinson on a spin-out move. Although he doesnt have the statistical resume of a playmaker, he has a high batting average as a tackler, and his traits and trajectory suggest his best football is ahead of him. The 21-year-old will play for the Jaguars, a group in the National Football Leagues (NFL) American Football Conference (AFC) South division (NFL). Obviously they were two of many on that defense, Gutekunst said. Some have done a lot more. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg The 6-4, 241-pound Quay Walker was instrumental in Georgia's national championship defense, totaling 65 tackles, 5 1/2 for loss, and 1 1/2 sacks. Edge Jermaine Johnson II, No. 1 overall pick is in line for a $37.3 million contract, per Spotrac. Its a blessing, Wyatt said. Walker brings the build of your prototypical NFL 22 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft on But I couldnt help but wonder if hed have been able to get a sack on that play if, instead, hed just dipped his shoulder and run around his man. The Green Bay Packers invested a first-round pick on an inside linebacker, taking Georgias Quay Walker at No. He played college football at Georgia and was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Travon and Quay are somewhat connected because they both have African American origins. His tackling, however, has been rough in both preseason outings. What does tie them together is they played integral roles in the two most recent national championship at the alma mater. Herschel Walker was a freshman during the 1980 college football season, while Travon Walker was a rotational defensive lineman as an upperclassmen just last football season. with end Travon Walker going first overall to Jacksonville, tackle Jordan Davis All three of the Packers first-round picks over the last two years have been Georgia defensive players. At nearly 64 and 241 pounds, Walker has terrific size for an off-ball linebacker, and his 9.63 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) highlights his impressive athleticism. Walker is dependable and consistent and projects as a good backup with eventual starter potential at inside linebacker., Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): Walker is one of the best run-and-hit linebackers in the class. "It's been a while since we've been able to stay in certain packages with two inside 'backers and handle everything in run defense and the passing game," Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said. Wyatt is even better as a run defender. Another interesting note: The Jags have tinkered with the 6-foot-5, 272-pounder as an inside, third-down rusher in a package with KLavon Chaisson, Arden Key and Josh Allen. Thibodeaux did have a hurry against the Bengals before his injury, getting around a tackle with a fake-stab move. 1 overall pick Travon Walker is tied for the seventh-highest rating among rookies (with six other players), at 76. She works as a receptionist at a neighborhood school in Thomaston, Georgia. Georgia linebacker Quay Walker was selected at No. Walker, a member of the formidable Georgia Bulldogs defense, was the first-overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft. The flip side is that Walkers average speed and clunky redirection can get him caught in space a bit too often, which could become more of an issue in the pros. In the last decade, the reigning national champion has produced an average of 2.9 first-round draft picks. Walker hasnt disclosed anything about his parents or siblings but is rumored to be the brother of Jaguars player Travon Walker because they have the same surname. "I think at the very top of the draft, it really is about mitigating risk especially when you're talking about the first pick overall. He has a tremendous build. "His range and speed and explosiveness as a tackler was something we couldn't pass up.". "That makes it really tough on an offense," Gutekunst said. Ah, man. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH Picture WebTravon Walker 2022 Panini Donruss Elite Rookie Card RC #151 455/999 Jacksonville. Eight members of that domineering defense are attending the NFL scouting combine this week in Indianapolis, and at least half of them are expected to hear their names called in the first round of the NFL draft next month. They won five of the previous 10 national championships, sending 18 players into the pros as first-round picks in the process. 2023 NFL Scouting Combine features six possible replacements for Mason Crosby, Packers now see considerable upside in Jordan Love as starting QB, Packers working on restructuring contract of LT David Bakhtiari, Browns releasing John Johnson III provides Packers an intriguing new option at safety, Packers GM: Jordan Love is 'ready to be an NFL starting quarterback', Picking dream free agent signings for the Packers, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Wyatt was arrested and charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, damage to property and family violence in 2020 after he kicked in the door of a woman he intermittently lived with following a verbal altercation. Your email address will not be published. "It's a reunion, man. Travon Walker stepped onto Georgia's campus with high expectations and the athletic marvel met them throughout his college career. Its going to be real, real good, Walker said. 2 overall pick, is tied for third with a 77 rating. By John Frierson Staff Writer Travon Walker's pregame routine includes listening to music and getting as relaxed as possible, before running out onto Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium and letting loose for four quarters of Georgia football. Its going to be real, real special, man., More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL, FILE - Georgia linebacker Quay Walker gets ready for a play against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game Sept. 25, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Walker was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 28. The Packers think they are getting a three-down linebacker who moves and plays like DeVondre Campbell, an All-Pro in 2021 who Now, the defense. We came up short, but let me remind you all: We still run the SEC., Alabamas John Metchie, who tore his left ACL in the SEC title game and watched the teams other 1,000-yard receiver, Jameson Williams, tear an ACL in the national championship game, chimed in this week at the combine, saying, I definitely think if we were healthy for that game, things could have been different, of course., No, we dont really talk about that, he said. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy Overall, Elam had a strong day in the Bills preseason opener against the Colts. Were going to have a great combine, Davis said. Theres some veteran guys out there that I think could be possibilities and also we have two picks in the second round, Rodgers said. Picture WebTravon Walker provides some of the best versatility in the class. Weve covered the offensive half of this years first round. They instead continued loading up on defensive players from Georgia by selecting linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd overall selection and taking tackle Sponsored. Thats something that Ill never be able to forget, Walker said. 30 pick, Kansas City Chiefs. On May 8, 2000, Quay Walker was born in Cordele, Georgia. What Though there are times when he could get downhill quicker on a run fit, hell remind you how much body control he plays with and that hes really tough to fool in the box. Walker ultimately earned a ring after the Bulldogs won their first national title in four decades, the defensive lineman contributing a sack in each of his team's College Football Playoff victories in January. I just think that certainly theyve been on the big stage, theyve been in really, really big games. And the Bengals have continued to challenge him in a variety of areas on the field. A crowd of media members were waiting to talk with the former No. $2.99 + $1.08 shipping. $29.99 + $5.00 shipping. https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/28/what-draft-experts-said-about-new-packers-lb-quay-walker/, Film breakdown of new Packers LB Quay Walker, Unpacking Future Packers: No. That was my goal and we were able to accomplish that goal.. We have nine picks left, so weve got a lot of ammunition. Travon Walker is from a black ethnic background and lives in Thomaston, Georgia, with his father and mother. Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRhZyAt Travon Walker could be forgiven if he's getting used to a view from the mountaintop. 1/9/2023. Related sponsored items. Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis. As was the case at Michigan, Hill has shown no hesitation with his willingness to fit the run from just about anywhere. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Hes such a disruptor on the line of scrimmage," Gutekunst said. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hill was a bit late to recognize a TE leak in the red zone that resulted in a touchdown, but the rest of his press reps matched up with tight ends have been very good. Both in zone and press, Gardner has shown he belongs. "Let's say that Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jaguars, wants to go projection over production meaning that he looks at Travon Walker and he thinks about what he could be at the next level," said NFL Network draft analyst Bucky Brooks, who characterized him as a"sideline-to-sideline menace. They instead continued loading up on defensive players from Georgia by selecting linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd overall selection and taking tackle Devonte Wyatt six picks later. bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVz X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 Wyatt was the third Georgia defensive lineman drafted Thursday, joining top overall selection Travon Walker and No. "This really gives our defense a ton of flexibility.". Im confident in all of us.. He also took the game more seriously, becoming a student during walkthroughs. Wyatt was later released on a $1,500 bond. At times, it looks like hes running around the field on a jet ski or something. His ability to scrape and get to the ball in the run game is almost linebacker like.. At Georgia, Walker said his teammate ate up a lot of blocks for me in the box. Cameron Salerno. Ultimately, the GM described Wyatts off-field history as nothing more than a couple hiccups," believing the young defensive lineman has grown out of his past immaturity. 3 pick, Houston Texans. Devonte Wyatt had a different Georgia experience. The year before that, LSU had five first-rounders led by top overall selection Joe Burrow, who led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in just his second season. On May 6, 2022, he signed his rookie contract. Are the Jaguars poised to win the AFC South again in 2023? Linebacker, a position perhaps more reliant on instincts than any other, was a tough place to cut that path. GREEN BAY Maybe it wasnt Quay Walkers fault. [16] He also recorded a team-high three forced fumbles, as well as 1.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.[16]. 6, 2022, he signed his Rookie contract Wyatt was later released on a jet ski or something be... Theyve been in really, really big games against the Bengals before his injury getting. 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