Ricky Walker

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Ricky Walker
refer to caption
Walker during a Blue Bombers game in 2021.
No. 96 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1996-04-18) April 18, 1996 (age 25)
Newport News, Virginia
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
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:American
Career highlights and awards
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[]

  1. ^ "Bethel DT Ricky Walker tweets he's committed to VT". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "Young Hokies D-lineman Ricky Walker gets a shot, makes most of it". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  3. ^ "Virginia Tech's Ricky Walker is baffled, motivated by lack of NFL draft buzz". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  4. ^ "NFL cuts for all 32 teams: Who's in and who's out". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  5. ^ "Tampa Bay Vipers Full Draft Recap". Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  6. ^ "XFL Injured Reserve". XFL.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  7. ^ "XFL Live Stats". stats.xfl.com. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Browns sign DT Ricky Walker". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 22, 2020.
  10. ^ "Browns release 4 players". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 3, 2020.
  11. ^ "Blue Bombers add Ricky Walker and Christian Angulo to roster". BlueBombers.com. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Ricky Walker". BlueBombers.com. Retrieved August 23, 2021.

External links[]

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