Anthony Walker Jr.

for all of the flashes walker shows in run support and in pass coverage, the redshirt junior remains quite raw, overall. walker is highly aggressive, slicing through gaps on runs to the outside to collect tackles for loss but occasionally running himself right out of the play. too often he gets stuck on blocks, showing limited hand technique to quickly break free from blocks when opponents are able to latch on. he gets pinned inside, at times, and loses sight of the ball. northwestern rarely asked walker to rush the quarterback. when he does so, walker shows only rudimentary technique, relying on his speed or agility to avoid blockers or a simple bull rush. finally, walker appears quicker than fast, getting beat to the edge by speedier backs and surrendering receptions to receivers crossing in front of him.

IN OUR VIEW

with broad shoulders, a tapered middle and thick limbs, walker certainly looks the part of an nfl middle linebacker. he attacks gaps as a run defender, showing a quick burst to the ball, an effective shoulder dip and swim move to slip by would-be blockers and greets ball-carriers with explosive stopping power. walker shows good core strength when taking on blockers, bending at the knees to anchor and twisting away to remain in the action. the ball-skills developed while playing wide receiver and safety (as well as linebacker) show up in pass coverage, where walker has intercepted three passes, including one he returned 49 yards for a touchdown against new york jets' draft pick christian hackenberg and penn state in his first career start.

WEAKNESSES

given that northwestern hasn't produced more than two draft picks in a single year since 2010 and not a single top-100 selection in over a decade, head coach pat fitzgerald and his staff deserve a lot of credit for the wildcats' success, which includes 10-win seasons and new year's day bowl berths in two of the past five years.

The success has helped Northwestern reach further in its recruiting, including the luring of Anthony Walker -- who led the Big Ten with 20.5 tackles for loss in 2015 -- out of Miami.

"we're so proud of anthony, and thrilled for the walker family," fitzgerald said in a prepared statement. "he's cemented a spot as one of the best players in northwestern football history, will earn his degree this spring and has the opportunity to pursue his dream."

STRENGTHS

walker's breakout redshirt sophomore campaign serves as a microcosm of northwestern's surprising 2015 campaign. like the wildcats as a whole, walker entered the season with little fanfare, having registered a solid but hardly spectacular 51 tackles over 12 games (including seven starts) a year earlier. it didn't take walker and the wildcats long to turn heads, however, as he earned defensive mvp honors with 10 tackles (including a career-high three for loss) in northwestern's 16-6 season-opening upset of stanford, which went on to win the rose bowl. it was the beginning of a magical season for walker, who led the wildcats with 122 tackles -- 35 more than northwestern's second-leading tackler, safety godwin igwebuike. walker's 20.5 tackles for loss ranked fourth in the entire country and earned him consensus first-team all-big ten honors and all-american accolades from several publications.

Walker (and the Wildcats) was not as dynamic in 2016, though he did earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors with 105 tackles, including 10 for loss and four forced fumbles. Shortly after the season, Walker announced his intention to skip his final season of eligibility and head to the NFL.

Played linebacker, wide receiver and defensive back in three years of varsity action

Recorded 200 career tackles, eight interceptions, six fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles on defense

Also averaged 14.0 yards per catch as wide receiver and had four TD receptions

Two-time all-state honoree, earning first-team honors in 2012, and twice earned first-team all-conference distinction

Competed in 2012 Nike Dade vs. Florida game

Member of National Honor Society.

Born Anthony Laron Walker, Jr.

Son of Anthony Walker, Sr. and Michelle Daniels

Majoring in learning and organizational change.

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
2.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
10.0	6.0	105.0	0.0	5.0	2.0	62.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	17.0	17.0	1.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	3.0	3.0	1.0