Travon Walker sends message to the doubters on his pass-rushing abilities

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Travon Walker was selected with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pick has been met with criticism by some, citing a “lack of production” from Walker while at Georgia.

In his three-year collegiate career, Walker totaled 61 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, three passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Those numbers don’t necessarily jump out at you for someone taken with the top overall pick, but Walker has a message for those that are doubting him.

Once Walker settles into one specific position with the Jaguars, he is confident that he’ll see an increase in production.

“To all the people that say that I can’t pass rush or do whatever, I wasn’t as productive at Georgia, I’ve never really played one position consistently,” Walker said. “So I feel like I’ll be able to grow as a layer once I just focus on one main position.”

Walker undoubtedly has some high expectations after being taken with the top overall pick, but that’s nothing new for him. He came to Georgia as a five-star prospect and a national top 25 recruit in the 2019 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. Walker has been faced with high expectations throughout his playing career, and he has embraced that.

Walker sees himself playing on the edge for the Jaguars

After not being able to settle into a specific position on a loaded Georgia defensive front, Walker will now have that opportunity with the Jaguars. He sees himself playing mainly on the edge in Jacksonville, and he is ready to put all of his effort towards one position in the NFL.

“I see myself playing on the edge, five technique, anything on the outside on the edge,” said Walker. “At Georgia, I was just like, I always told my coaches I’ll do anything to get on the field. So therefore, I played everything from a zero nose all the way out to a nine-wide six technique.”

“It’s very exciting because I’ve always moved around, ever since I was in high school. I played middle linebacker in high school, I’ve never just played one position. So when people say I don’t have a lot of production, I feel like once I do get to just train for one position and play that one position only, I feel like that’ll just come on its own.”