Travon Walker weighs in on 2026 Georgia Bulldogs, talks Playoff run
By Jeff Moeller
Published:
These days, Travon Walker is having fun playing football for the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars, who have risen to the ranks of the NFL elite with a 10-4 record and a current 5-game winning streak.
Like his Georgia playing days, Walker has been reeking havoc on the field and has played an instrumental part in the Jaguars’ success. Through 11 games, Walker’s numbers may not be luminous with 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks, but he has 15 tackles over the last 5 weeks.
Last season, Walker had his best season with 61 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 60 pressures and 15 quarterback hits, but he has reached a comfort level in Jacksonville, adopting more of a leadership role in his fourth season after being the 2022 top overall draft pick.
Yet, Walker’s progression hasn’t deterred him from keeping a watch on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs, who will meet the winner of the Ole Miss-Tulane matchup in the Orange Bowl.
Walker never had any doubts about Kirby Smart’s team being invited to the Big Dance. He also believes the Dawgs’ current defensive unit, highlighted by CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole, has benefitted from the groundwork laid by himself and former teammates and current NFL standouts Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and others.
“It was expected, and I knew they would get in (the Playoff),” stated Walker. “I feel like these guys are really playing well together, and they have really grown together. I believe the current guys have benefitted from the foundation that we laid.
“I see a lot of similarities with guys like Allen and Cole to guys I played with (in) Davis and Dean. The defense seems to be coming together at the right time.”
Walker liked what he saw from the Bulldogs in their 28-7 victory over Alabama in the SEC title game, and it rekindled some of his memories in beating the Crimson Tide 33-18 in the national championship game.
In that game, Walker had 3 tackles, 1 sack, and 7 quarterback hits.
“It’s always nice to beat Alabama,” Walker mused. “We had a great defensive effort against them in the championship game, and we had fun out there. I knew I had to give it all I had, being it was my last college game, and I left it all out there.
“When you saw what these guys did this year, it really reminded me of our year. We felt we came together in the middle of the season and realized what we could do. We finally started to realize our potential. Not to take anything away from our offense that year, but we felt we helped win a lot of games.”
Walker sees the current Georgia defense following a similar blueprint as his 2021 unit.
In 2021, the Bulldogs had the top overall SEC defensive unit, allowing just 78.9 yards rushing and 189.7 yards passing per game. This season, the Bulldogs are ranked in the SEC, first in rushing defense (79.2) and seventh in passing (205.3).
“Early in the season, you want to build up to get to the peak point where they are now,” Walker said. “But I feel like they aren’t at their peak yet.
“They have a great coaching staff down there and they are going to do their part to keep the guys on the top of their game. The players also have to continue to do their part and continue to wrap things up when needed in games.”
Walker believes the current unit has raised their level of play.
“They have started off games faster than they were at the beginning of the season,” stressed Walker. “These guys have to continue to do their part, and now ramp it up even more in the playoffs.”
So, can Georgia win another national championship?
Like the Jaguars peaking at the right time, Walker is confident the Bulldogs can follow a similar script to bring another title home to Athens.
“I believe they can,” beamed Walker. “They have the right pieces, and they haven’t peaked yet. We put it all together at the right time, and I think they can do it, too.”
