Travon Walker: ‘It’s been a challenge to keep myself from pressing’

Travon Walker began his rookie season with a few highlights that showed why the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him first overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. But that strong start gave way to several weeks of Walker mostly being a non-factor for the Jaguars defense.

That finally changed Sunday when Walker had a strip sack that resulted in a turnover. It set up the Jaguars deep in Titans territory and the team took advantage on a touchdown that tied the score 7-7 early.

After the game, Walker was asked if he’s had difficulty keeping his head up during his underwhelming rookie season.

“I wouldn’t say it’s been a challenge to keep my confidence, but it’s been a challenge to keep myself from pressing to make plays,” Walker said. “Once I start pressing make plays, then sometimes things just don’t go as I want them to go. So I just focus in and try to make the plays that I’m supposed to make.”

Walker began his year with a sack and an interception in his first regular season game, but he then had a streak of five straight games without a sack before he recorded his second of the year.

Similarly, the Jaguars defense started strong, forcing eight turnovers in the first three weeks and allowing only 55 rushing yards per game over that stretch. Since then, the Jaguars have allowed an average of 133.5 rushing yards.