Georgia football saw Travon Walker get picked No.1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and in Week 1 of his rookie season, he quickly made his introduction to the world.
Walker wasted no time proving why he got picked No.1 overall, as he was a force of nature for the Jaguars in their 28-22 loss to Washington. While the Jags couldn’t pull off the win, what Walker put on the field was still downright impressive.
He did a little of everything on Sunday, and it wasn’t just his tackling abilities that caught the NFL world’s eyes.
Walker was the correct No.1 overall choice for the Jaguars, and if this Week 1 performance tells us anything, he will have a tremendous rookie season.
Georgia football defensive lineman Travon Walker earns his keep in Week 1.
Against the Commanders, Walker recorded four tackles, his first NFL sack, one pass deflection and an interception. What a debut for the rookie to come out and have a performance like that — it shows just how talented this young man is.
Travon Walker was a jack of all trades in his first regular season game.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 11, 2022
• 4 TOT
• 1 SACK
• 1 PD
• 1 INT
What a debut. pic.twitter.com/4VklTIFwte
Of all his stats, that interception was unreal. Walker put up his long arms and snagged that pass out of the air. The catch looked fake almost because he shouldn’t be able to make that move as a massive defensive lineman, but he did.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1569049206601707520?s=20&t=6gow37Fi58NtzpXvF14uuA
His vision and instinct to stop rushing and to snag that ball is not something a rookie should do. He has the arm length and speed to make that happen — imagine that because this play is wild. When he made that cut and hit that burst of speed to steal the ball, man, it was exciting to watch.
That ability is what makes Walker so great. His instincts are out of this world, and in Week 1, this interception shows that. Walker was so explosive throughout this game, and his first career sack was just as impressive as his pick.
https://twitter.com/GeorgiaFootball/status/1569040801857953795?s=20&t=_qurUpH6Lvaq2apVTWe8Zw
This sack is as textbook as it comes. Walker’s first step burst is immaculate, and using his hands to slide right by the offensive tackle was so clean, which allowed him to bearhug the quarterback with those long arms and record that sack.
The best part about Walker is after the game and how this performance was a good start, but he wants more than just one sack, one interception — it’s all about sustaining that production.
Meanwhile, the guy everyone thought should go No.1 overall, Michigan’s Aiden Hutchinson only recorded a tackle in Week 1. While it’s not great to compare the two because only the fans still care about who went No.1 overall, it is still good to note that one is not like the other.
Georgia football knew Walker was special, but this debut for him is what he needed to solidify why he went No.1 overall. He proved why with the sack and interception because that is what great players do — they make plays.