![Jaguars first round draft pick (44) OLB Travon Walker works on technique with outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey Friday afternoon during Rookie Minicamp. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their first Rookie Minicamp on the turf of TIAA Bank Field Friday afternoon, May 13, 2022. Among those in attendance were the team's 2022 draft picks. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 051322 Jagsrookieminic 3](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ff512035642fd949eb3362b7e01d6fcebb5d889ba4d9e61beacfff54dd89d5e1.jpg "Jaguars first round draft pick (44) OLB Travon Walker works on technique with outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey Friday afternoon during Rookie Minicamp. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their first Rookie Minicamp on the turf of TIAA Bank Field Friday afternoon, May 13, 2022. Among those in attendance were the team's 2022 draft picks. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 051322 Jagsrookieminic 3")
Georgia football has quite the first five months of 2022, including making NFL Draft history that saw Travon Walker become the fifth Dawg selected No.1 overall.
Since he got to Jacksonville, Walker has immediately made a positive impact, and he has already received a lot of praise from his new coaching staff.
Walker is a high character young man, and while some still question why the Jaguars picked him over other edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft, itโs evident that head coach Doug Pederson knows the team made the right choice.
So far, Georgia football stud Travon Walker has proven he can handle the NFL.
During a recent press conference, Pederson got asked about Walker, and the quote he gave should make Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, the rest of the coaching staff and the fanbase incredibly proud of Walker.
"๐๐'๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ."
โ Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) May 23, 2022
HC Doug Pederson's first impressions of Travon Walker@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/XqGwy10WMn
Pederson had more than enough praise to give Walker, and by calling him a โpro,โ he had the tools to do this job well.
Georgia has provided him with what he needs to succeed at the next level of football, and this 2022 draft class will likely be one of the most successful ones out of Athens.
Smart understands what it takes to get players into the league, and getting this kind of praise in May is huge for Walker. Not to mention, Smart and his staff can use this on the recruiting trail right away to show what theyโre doing results in early NFL playing time.
Walker went through the rookie mini camp catching the eyes of his new coaching staff, and Pederson said he is doing exceptionally well. He discussed how hard he is on himself and how he is a perfectionist.
Pederson said he likes players like Walker, who is critical of himself because he knows that those guys keep working to make performing their best on Thursday, Sunday, or Monday a top priority.
From signing day to draft day, @44Ytw kept one goal in mind.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/8r1t5nI6DM
โ Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) May 5, 2022
Walker shows what happens when you buy into the Georgia football culture, learn from it, and then take those things into the NFL.
While the season is still a few months away, he is already showing Pederson and the rest of the Jaguars organization that they made the right decision.
He seems to have a chip on his shoulder even though Walker went No.1 overall, and that determination will take him far in the NFL. This upcoming season could be a big rookie year for Walker, and this instance of getting praise from Pederson will likely be the first of many.