Walker used Donald comparison to hit next level

What’s Happening

Breaking it down: Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker instantly got the message when head coach Liam Coen used an Aaron Donald comparison during their end-of-season meeting.

Jaguars’ Walker used Donald comparison to reach next level Michael DiRocco Apr 4, 2026, 01:56 PM ET Close Michael DiRocco is an NFL Nation reporter at ESPN and covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. He before covered the University of Florida for over a decade for ESPN and the Florida Times-Union. (it feels like chaos)

DiRocco graduated from Jacksonville University and is a multiple APSE award winner.

The Details

Follow on X Multiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker instantly got the message when head coach Liam Coen used an Aaron Donald comparison during their end-of-season meeting.

Coen wasn’t comparing Walker to Donald, one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history, as a player, but to emulate the way Donald prepared, practiced and played. He wants to see the same things from Walker.

Why This Matters

That’s what Walker, who signed his four-year, $110 million contract extension on Saturday, wants, too. Editor’s Picks Jags sign DE Walker to 4-year, $110M extension Michael Dirocco Jags OK’d to play 2027 home games in Orlando Michael Dirocco 2026 NFL offseason OTA, minicamp dates for all 32 teams ESPN Staff 2 Related “It’s just like taking my game to another level,” Walker dropped. “Obviously, he’s seen Aaron Donald.

This is the kind of move that can define a season.

Key Takeaways

• He was on the team with Aaron Donald.
• “And I feel like it fr clicked [and] dawned on me that it’s just time to ramp things up, take it to the next level.

The Bottom Line

5 sacks, 200 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 57 quarterback hits in 60 career games since the Jaguars drafted him first overall in 2022. Though he had a lot of success while playing inside at Georgia, he has played mainly on the edge with the Jaguars and was coming into his own as a pass rusher with 10 sacks in 2023 and 10.

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