Ricky Walker
No. 96 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |
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Position: | Defensive tackle |
Personal information | |
Born: | Newport News, Virginia | April 18, 1996
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Weight: | 295 lb (134 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Bethel (VA) |
College: | Virginia Tech |
Undrafted: | 2019 |
Career history | |
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Roster status: | Active |
CFL status: | American |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Career NFL statistics | |
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR · CFL.ca |
Ricky Walker (born April 18, 1996) is a gridiron football defensive tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech.
Early years[]
Walker attended Bethel High School. As a junior, he was a two-way player, making 70 tackles and 11 sacks, while receiving first-team All-district and All-region honors.[1]
As a senior, he missed 2 games with an injury, finishing with 73 tackles (15 for loss) and 11 sacks, while receiving second-team All-state honors.
College career[]
Walker accepted a football scholarship from Virginia Tech. As a true freshman, he played in 11 games as a backup defensive tackle and tallied 9 tackles (one for loss). He was redshirted in 2015.[2]
As a sophomore, he appeared in all 14 games (4 starts). He registered 28 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, 4 pass breakups and 2 kickoff returns for 19 yards on special teams.
As a junior, he was named the starter at the 3-technique tackle spot. He collected 41 tackles (12.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, one pass break up and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.
As a senior, he was limited with a foot injury during the first half of the season. He recorded 49 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss (led the team), 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He also was a finalist for the Dudley Award, given to the top collegiate player in the state of Virginia.
Professional career[]
Dallas Cowboys[]
Walker was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, after being passed on the 2019 NFL Draft because of a lack of height.[3] He had 3 tackles (one for loss) and one quarterback hit in the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. He was waived on August 31.[4]
Tampa Bay Vipers[]
In October 2019, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers during phase 3 of the 2020 XFL Draft.[5] In March, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced that it would be cancelling the rest of the season.[6] He finished the XFL's debut season with 8 tackles and one quarterback hit in 5 games.[7] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[8]
Cleveland Browns[]
On August 22, 2020, Walker signed with the Cleveland Browns.[9] The Browns waived Walker on September 3, 2020.[10]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers[]
Walker signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL on February 19, 2021.[11] He played in his first career regular season game on August 13, 2021.[12]
References[]
- ^ "Bethel DT Ricky Walker tweets he's committed to VT". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Young Hokies D-lineman Ricky Walker gets a shot, makes most of it". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Virginia Tech's Ricky Walker is baffled, motivated by lack of NFL draft buzz". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "NFL cuts for all 32 teams: Who's in and who's out". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Vipers Full Draft Recap". Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- ^ "XFL Injured Reserve". XFL.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ "XFL Live Stats". stats.xfl.com. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
- ^ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Browns sign DT Ricky Walker". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 22, 2020.
- ^ "Browns release 4 players". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Blue Bombers add Ricky Walker and Christian Angulo to roster". BlueBombers.com. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Walker". BlueBombers.com. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
External links[]
- 1996 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Newport News, Virginia
- Players of American football from Virginia
- American football defensive tackles
- Virginia Tech Hokies football players
- Dallas Cowboys players
- Tampa Bay Vipers players
- Cleveland Browns players
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers players