Measurables
UNIVERSITY- Georgia AGE- 21 CLASS- JR
HEIGHT- 6’5” WEIGHT- 275 ARM LENGTH-
40 Time- 3 CONE- VERTICAL- BROAD JUMP- BENCH PRESS-
Overview
Yory “Travon” Walker was considered a 5 star recruit by many recruiting sites coming out of high school. At Upson-Lee High School in Georgia he played all along the defensive line but also lined up as a TE and a RB on offense. In 2019 as a freshman, Travon played in 12 of 14 games, finishing with 15 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks and 1 PBUs. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team for his efforts. In 2020 he played in 9 games and finished with 13 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT and 1 FF. In 2021 Walker started in all 15 games all along the D-line for Georgia’s national championship season, Georgia defense is being considered as one of the most talented defenses of all time. He totaled 33 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 PBUs and 1 FR in his junior campaign.
Strengths
Travon Walker has traits stacked on top of traits, stacked on top of more traits. He has great height, weight and length for a 4-3 DE. I would not discount the possibility of him being a 3-4 DE in that 5-Tech position either though, he also has the ability to play as a 4-3 DT in spurts. Depending on his weight and test numbers at the combine, I may view him one way or the other regarding scheme fit. Georgia played him in every spot imaginable from DE, DT(both 1T&3T), stand up LB as a spy, stand up LB dropping into coverage, he never looked out of place athletically or physically. He also played these positions all technically sound and I feel confident saying that he is a highly intelligent football player. Walker is a tremendous athlete for his height and weight. He has an explosive first step off the ball that flashes with consistency play in and play out. He stays low out of his stance and this leads to a fantastic leverage advantage for him. I have no reason to believe his bend is anything less than adequate. His punch combined with his explosiveness off the ball are incredibly difficult for most linemen to match. His ability to change directions and redirect his momentum is just phenomenal for a player of his size. He flows with ease and there isn’t any hitch in any of his lateral movements. He shows fantastic agility to squeeze through tight gaps of an O-Line and his contact balance is at a high level. There’s a lot of development to be had as a pass rusher but the flashes are there. Walker does an excellent job in twist stunts as his amazing lateral agility is on full display when he is able to quickly jump gaps and cause pressure up the middle. There’s a few instances where he shows a good bull rush, a good stab move as well as a quick rip move to the outside. He’s just overall a very raw edge-rusher though. His quickness is an issue to deal with for interior linemen, as he can quickly cross their face and slide past them. The brightest aspect of Travon’s game as we speak is his ability in the run game. Walker holds the point of attack extremely well and his length is a big help in that aspect. He has a very strong anchor and is practically impossible to move with only one blocker. He consistently drew double teams in both the run game and the pass game. He does a nice job of working down the line to make tackles and when he hits, he hits with a lot of force. Walker also takes very precise angles to the football in the run game and his effort never counts him out of making a tackle. I believe his athletic ability allows him to make any tackle within a reasonable range. Year 1, you’re getting an exciting versatile athlete who plays with an incredible motor and is a plus point of attack edge-setter. Beyond that, with development, he could be a dynamite impact player in both the run game and the pass rush aspect of things regardless of the position he is drafted to play.
Weaknesses/Room for Improvement
Despite his first-step explosiveness, you really see him decelerate as he continues his rush. You want to work on his ability to be rounding the corner of his pass rush arc at full acceleration and force. Furthermore, he doesn’t always show the ability to generate speed into power as an edge rusher. His hands are extremely powerful but they aren’t developed in much of any sort at this point in time. He lacks any go to moves or much of a plan as an edge rusher. Walker could really take advantage of developing his hand placement in the run game as well so that he can use his power to disengage quicker from blocks. He can be rather slow disengaging from blocks in the run game. If he had developed hands his backfield production would sky-rocket. You have no illusions of Walker winning with speed alone as an edge rusher. Some might have concerns about him being a little-bit of a tweener between a 3-4 DE and a 4-3 DE but I think he’s strong and athletic enough to do either. There isn’t much to diss him on but the development will need to take place.
Scheme Fit
Probably best fits as a 3-4 DE, I think he can be more disruptive in the backfield especially as a rusher from this spot. I’m prepared for a scenario where he gets drafted by a 4-3 team as well though, it’ll be interesting to see.
Round Grade
1st Round Talent, I’m not sure you get a first round value in year 1 though. I have to put him in the Late First- Early Second Round Range.