Baltimore, MD – June 27, 2025
Baltimore Ravens fans have heard plenty about the team’s new wide receiver prospect, but it wasn’t highlight reels or 40-yard dashes that made headlines this week — it was the rookie’s astonishment at the relentless work ethic of Lamar Jackson. For a city built on grit and legacy, this is the kind of story that resonates.
A newcomer to the Ravens’ facility admitted he was stunned by the quarterback’s intensity during voluntary team activities. “Workouts were set for 9 a.m. I figured showing up at 8 would give me a head start,” he said. “But Lamar was already drenched in sweat, locked in like it was game day.”
“I came in earlier the next day — 7:30. Still beat. Finally showed up at 6 a.m., thinking no way he’s there yet. But he was already going through footwork drills like the season starts tomorrow,” he added. That rookie is Devontez Walker, the explosive third-round receiver out of North Carolina. And like many before him, he’s discovering what makes Jackson the Ravens’ undisputed heartbeat.
Walker, known for his speed and ability to stretch the field vertically, has been working hard to earn trust in a competitive wide receiver room. Per Pro Football Focus, he credits Jackson’s obsession with preparation for helping him grasp the tempo and expectations of Baltimore’s offense.
One fan posted on X: “Walker just got introduced to Lamar Time — no snooze button, no shortcuts.” The connection between Jackson and Walker has already flashed in early offseason drills, especially on deep sideline throws and scramble plays, per The Athletic.
Head coach John Harbaugh weighed in: “Lamar leads by example. He doesn’t talk about grinding — he lives it.” Walker’s approach in OTAs, shaped directly by Jackson’s intensity, earned him early second-team reps and praise from receivers coach Greg Lewis, per BaltimoreRavens.com.
Walker’s shock at Jackson’s early-morning commitment echoes what Ravens veterans like Roquan Smith and Ronnie Stanley have long said. And with Baltimore eyeing a return to the AFC Championship Game, every edge counts — especially when leadership sets the tone, per Spotrac.
As training camp nears, the rookie’s awe for Jackson’s preparation has quickly become a rallying point in the receiver room. Could this new connection be the spark the Ravens need to push past the postseason wall? Stay tuned to ESPN for more on Lamar’s unmatched grind — and the rookie rising to meet it.
