Will Georgia Bulldogs Defensive Lineman Travon Walker emerge as a star?

Try Dawg Post for $1 for a Month Right Now!

ATHENS - Azeez Ojulari and Malik Herring will no longer reign terror on opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines.

Who will emerge as one of the next stars on the defensive line?

Travon Walker‍ is one of the candidates to fill in for the missing production and impact that the aforementioned Bulldogs are taking with them to the NFL.  The 5-star pass rusher from the 2019 recruiting cycle has been a rotational lineman during his first two years as at Georgia. 

That rotation philosophy that head coach Kirby Smart has established on defense at Georgia is part of why seldom players have big statistical seasons or are seen as stars in Athens. However, Ojulari and Herring departing for the draft creates a whole of production and leadership that needs to be filled. 

Walker is a talent that just might be ready to take on a bigger role for the Bulldogs. He recorded 2.5 sacks during his freshman season, but his numbers dipped a little bit in his second year. 

With some shoes to fill on defense, 5-stars like Walker and Nolan Smith are the easy names to point at as players who should grow into a larger role. They were both huge grabs in the 2019 class, and now is the perfect opportunity to prove why they were 5-stars. 

Walker knows there is pressure with being ranked so highly going into college. 

“I always set big goals for myself. So, that’s (prove he is a 5-star) just something I want to do for myself,” Walker said. 

Walker’s talent isn’t the question, but will it all come together for the junior pass rusher?

The question is whether or not he gets the opportunity to showcase his talents on the field. He has been in mostly a rotational role in his first two seasons, but he believes he will get an increase in playing time. 

“I’m just trying to better my hands and my conditioning level because I know I’m going to have to play a lot more snaps,” Walker said. 

Ojulari was the SEC’s sack leader in 2020, and in accomplishing that feat, he likely cemented himself as a first round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Replacing somebody like Ojulari is not easy, and Georgia has had their fair share of players that are difficult to replace. 

Smart likes to replace production with a plethora of talent that he gets through recruiting, but the talent he needs on the defensive line may be right in front of him already with a player like Walker.

*DawgPost.com has teamed up with Fanatics to connect our readers with the best selection of officially licensed UGA fan gear out there.  If you purchase through our  links, we will earn a commission that will support the work we do on this site.