David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas
Size:
Height: 6007
Weight: 263
Arm: 31 ⅞”
Hand: 9 ¼”
Accomplishments:
Buck Buchanan Award—Top FCS Defender (2024)
“David Walker enters the draft as a historically productive pass-rusher at the FCS level, whose electric explosiveness and underrated profile as a run defender showcase one of the more intriguing prospects from that level of college football.”
Strengths:
Lateral agility
Production
Hands
Closing speed
Dynamic backside pursuit defender vs. run
Ability to reduce angles around the arc
Concerns:
Room to get stronger
Inconsistent rush plan
Length
Film Analysis:
David Walker enters the draft process as one of the FCS’ most historically productive pass rushers. In 12 regular season games this fall, Walker finished with 55 pressures, 23 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 41 QB hurries, becoming the first player in the 29-year program history at Central Arkansas to win the Buchanan award.
As a pass rusher, Walker’s ability to win strictly as the most explosive and powerful pass-rusher on the field remained evident at the FCS level. Fundamentally, however, his blend of speed, flexibility, and hands showcase a player who should challenge for snaps immediately along a defensive front.
Walker aligned primarily as a 7-tech or wide-nine in the Central Arkansas defense, allowing him to attack opponents at a wide angle that forces tackles to kick out quickly. At 260 pounds, Walker moves extremely well laterally and fires off the ball with urgency, but his lack of length and inconsistent pass-rush repertoire is apparent at times. He showcases the ability to win with speed or power, and despite his lack of length up top, he does well to establish his hands early and drive opponents back.
Walker is a powerful bull rusher and has displayed an outside two-hand swipe that he uses to mix up looks. Also has reps where he wins simply by being the better athlete, running the arc, and closing toward the QB. He has high-level ankle flexion to rip around the corner and close on the pocket. Also does well to get his hands in throwing lanes on arrival without sacrificing lane integrity or his angle for a pressure. Physical football player who does not miss when it comes to taking QBs to the ground if given the chance. Consistent effort is there, also.
As a run defender, Walker can be classified as an athlete who operates with his hair on fire. He is an electric backside pursuit defender who can shuffle and pursue when plays run away from his side. Excellent in identifying pullers and can often scrape over the top and beat players to the spot on the far side of the formation. Blows through TEs and presents a fight to opposing tackles or guards in one-on-one opportunities. Does well when squared up by larger opponents, but his lack of length and lack of height shows in this facet where he can lose track of the play if blockers can smother the distance between them. Can slash and rip through the line to disrupt plays quickly after the snap, as well.
Overall, Walker remains one of the premier small-school talents in the 2025 NFL Draft, whose performance throughout the pre-draft circuit will hold immense weight. His dominance against lower-level competition has paved the way for NFL attention, but producing at the Senior Bowl against future NFL starters will truly allow teams to finalize their evaluation of what Walker could be within a front seven. A few conversations within league circles have mentioned his body composition and need to get stronger, but the profile is there for Walker to evolve into an early contributor at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: West Georgia (2024), Arkansas State (2024), Lindenwood (2024), Austin Peay (2024)
