Quay Walker addresses what he brings to the table for Packers
Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Quay Walker is confident in his ability, but humble enough to know there’s plenty he needs to improve on. After starring for the country’s top defense at Georgia this past season, he is ready to make an impact in the NFL.
The Packers selected him 22nd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft in hope that he could fill a need at linebacker. Walker believes he has the physical tools already, and is willing to listen to advice from veteran players to improve the mental aspect of his game.
“I bring versatility. I think that basically pretty much sums up me,” he said in a recent interview. “There’s a whole lot that you can do with me, but there’s a whole lot I need to get better at. I’m just a hard-nosed guy. A guy you want on your defense. Of course, I’m big and fast but at the same time I’m trying to challenge myself to become smarter. Playing alongside De’Vondre Campbell will be good so I can just try to soak up all the game. Other than that, I’m not bragging on myself but there’s a whole lot I bring to the table that I can get better at.”
Walker had the best season of his college career this past year, finishing with 65 tackles (5.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and three passes defended. Georgia ended as the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense (10.2 points allowed per game) and also finished second in yards allowed per game.
Walker is joined by his Bulldogs teammate defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, whom Green Bay took 28th overall. That familiarity should certainly help both players as they ease into their new careers. But Quay Walker has also had veteran Packers such as Campbell take him under his wing.
For that he is thankful and ready to take in the lessons to make himself an even better player.
“I’m just going to try to take in any knowledge that I can,” he said. “I’m gonna soak up everything. Just trying to get in and learn everything I can because he’s been in the league a long time.”
Walker will make his Packers debut on Aug. 12 in a preseason contest scheduled against the 49ers.