When the Green Bay Packers used their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (pick number 22, which came via the Las Vegas Raiders) on Georgia linebacker Quay Walker, there was a great deal of hype surrounding him. Of course, there were some fans who were upset the Packers did not use the pick on a wide receiver, but some people are happy being unhappy. At this point of the offseason, Walker and the other Packers’ rookies have gone through rookie camps, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp. During a recent media session, Walker admitted that the transition to the NFL has more difficult than he imagined.
Related: NFL analyst explains why fans should be excited about Quay Walker
Quay Walker Has Been Watching How De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes Conduct Themselves
Being able to produce on the football field is not the only aspect of being a professional football player. How one prepares for games and acts in practice is important. Furthermore, it is important to learn how to act around teammates, coaches, and other team personnel. In order to learn these things, Quay Walker has been watching De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes.
I pick up a whole lot, to be honest with you. He doesn’t know it, but I watch him [De’Vondre Campbell] a whole lot. Just trying to learn a lot from him — how he goes about his day, how he gets treatment in between meetings, and the things he does. So, I just try to pick up off him, everything. Not only him, but Krys (Barnes] as well. Those two guys are very good guys that I just try to learn everything I can from.”
This statement from Walker, in and of itself, shows a great deal of maturity. De’Vondre Campbell, of course, is one of the best linebackers in the NFL (he was a First-Team All-Pro last season). It makes sense that he would want to learn anything that he can from Campbell. However, it is widely believed that Walker is going to take Krys Barnes’ starting job. Instead of letting that projection go to his head, Walker has humbled himself to learn from him.
On Losing His Confidence
A rookie’s first NFL practice can be quite intimidating. This is true for first round picks as well as undrafted free agents. During his interview, Quay Walker admitted that being in Green Bay shook his confidence:
“That’s one thing I really want to work on. I kind of lost some of my confidence when I got here because I was just unsure of what was going on and trying to get a good feeling. You know how it is when I’m in a new organization and a new defense. Things like that. It’s similar to what we did in college, but still new things. That’s the main thing is trying to get my confidence back. Just believing there’s a reason I’m here as well. This is the top level of football period. I just have to trust and believe in that, and my teammates as well, for them to count on me. Just go from there.”
There is one person, however, that does not think Walker should be too concerned: De’Vondre Campbell.
I try to help and give as much advice as I can even though he doesn’t really need it he already a baller 😂. Very smart Young Man with a great future ahead of him https://t.co/pBfsT5SkEc
— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) June 15, 2022
Related: De’Vondre Campbell has high praise for Quay Walker
Quay Walker Reveals Who Texted Him First After the Packers Drafted Him
It is no secret to anyone that the Green Bay Packers drafted Walker’s teammate Devonte Wyatt with the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ironically, Walker says it was Wyatt who was the first person to contact him following his own selection:
“Our relationship, we’re real-deal brothers. Once he saw me get picked, he was like the first person to call me and we were just so excited. So we’re just ready to go to Green Bay and help the team and just learn the [play] books and become great players for the Packers.”
Of course, both Walker and Wyatt are joining former Georgia teammate Eric Stokes on the Green Bay Packers defense. All three will be part of a Packers defense that has already garnered preseason top-10 rankings.
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