The Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 1 overall pick, Travon Walker from Georgia, almost didn’t have his moment. The defensive end reportedly was involved in a car accident where he hit two parked cars in Athens, Georgia, earlier this month.
“A big-time scare before the Draft: Georgia’s Travon Walker was in a serious car accident in Athens, GA before the Draft, crashing into two parked cars, per me and @TomPelissero. He emerged without injuries somehow. No citations. But a scare for sure.”
A big-time scare before the Draft: #Georgia’s Travon Walker was in a serious car accident in Athens, GA before the draft, crashing into two parked cars, per me and @TomPelissero. He emerged without injuries somehow. No citations. But a scare for sure.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2022
After his draft selection, Walker told FOX 35 Orlando that the accident happened two weeks ago and was a “fender bender.”
Walker was the cherry on top of an excellent night for the University of Georgia. Five Georgia defensive players were selected in the first round Thursday night, eclipsing both Florida State watching four of its defenders selected in the first round of the 2006 draft and the 2004 draft where four Miami defenders were chosen in the first round.
I asked Travon Walker about that car accident last week
He called it a "little fender bender" and no big deal
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) April 29, 2022
A five-star recruit out of Upson-Lee High School in Thomaston, Georgia, in 2019, Yury Travon Walker was a young football and basketball star. The Peach State prospect stayed local, playing for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Walker started his first year in college with a bang, being named to the Freshman All-SEC Team. His stats were also solid, delivering 15 tackles, 3.5 for loss, with 2.5 sacks in 12 contests. He played in nine games as a reserve the following season, finishing with 13 tackles, two for loss, and one sack.
The Dawgs made history last night!#NFLdraft #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/nmwArFU83L
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) April 29, 2022
In 2021, he started all 15 games for UGA, eventually winning the national championship playing defensive tackle. He recorded 37 stops, 7.5 for loss, with six sacks, and two pass breakups.
Now Walker is looking to get busy with the struggling Jaguars. The team has a history of drafting No. 1 picks, like Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 draft. However, the team hopes the collection of unos will erase their 3–14 record last season.
Interestingly, Walker wasn’t the favorite as the No. 1 overall pick going into the draft. However, over the tenure of the draft season, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke felt the DE could enrich their prospects of a better season.
The Jags are selecting Travon Walker No. 1 overall.
He opened +3500. Closed at -500. (via @BetRivers)
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) April 29, 2022
Walker impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine, running 4.51 second in the 40. The 6-foot-5, 272-pound Walker is a certain run-stopper who outreaches blockers and can take control at the point of attack. According to his Combine report, his unique blend of explosiveness and aggression makes it appear he could develop into a starter over two years.
Walker was never named an All-American or even All-Conference. He is reportedly the first No. 1 overall pick in NFL history to get taken in the top spot without receiving at least one of those accolades.
Now he is on to his NFL dream, thinking about his top five quarterbacks to sack.
Travon Walker says the car accident he was involved in was a “fender bender” and it happened about two weeks ago. #NFLDraft @fox35orlando
— Jessica Eley FOX 35 (@FOX35Jessica) April 29, 2022
“Tom Brady, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, definitely, Cam Newton,” Walker said to Sports Illustrated. “Yeah, it’s a little personal with me with Joe Burrow. He got me pretty good in 2019 at the SEC Championship, so, yeah, that’s always been on my mind; I was a freshman then.”
When asked if he was coming for revenge, Walker responded, “best believe that.”
Now Walker needs to avoid the parked cars in Duval County, Florida, to give the Jaguars some hope.
