Kirby Smart first in line for No. 1 NFL Draft pick Travon Walker

Kirby Smart Georgia coach Kirby Smart smiles while taking a few questions after the team arrived at Indianapolis International Airport on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia is scheduled to play Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com/AP)

May 9, 2022 at 2:45 p.m. UTC

By Mike Griffith, DawgNation

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart was the first to offer Travon Walker a scholarship, planting a seed of belief in the prospect that would translate into Walker’s trust and faith in the program.

It paid off for Smart in the form of a dominant end who could pass rush and set the edge like no others, anchoring one side of the Bulldogs’ historic defense.

It’s projected to pay off for Walker in the form of a four-year contract that ESPN reported will involve $37.3 million guaranteed, including a $24.3 million signing bonus.

It all started with the confidence and trust Walker placed in Smart and his position coach Tray Scott.