The NFL Combine can be a difference maker for former FCS college football players on the road to the annual draft. Scouts have reason to take a closer look at 2024 Buck Buchanan Award recipient David Walker.
David Walker often thinks back to the countless hours spent with Central Arkansas defensive line coach Tony Davis.
Performing one drill after another.
“When nobody’s watching,” Walker says, “perfecting my craft.”
It all paid off for the edge defender at UCA while he earned three straight first-team selections on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Team and capped his career by receiving the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the national defensive player of the year.
Davis was a good-sized, decorated defensive end back in his day at Troy, so he matched up well against Walker during the many workouts in Conway, Arkansas.
But he also was preparing Walker for the next big step in his football journey – a potential NFL career. Walker is about to take one of the bigger steps toward it as one of the former FCS players among over 300 prospects invited to the NFL Combine from Feb. 24 to March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Personnel from all 32 NFL teams place emphasis on the annual showcase, where prospects go through measurements and medical examinations, psychological testing, team interviews, and on-field workouts. The Combine will help teams answer questions heading toward the 2025 NFL Draft, to be held April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Walker’s career began on the Division II level at Southern Arkansas before he had a record-breaking three seasons at Central Arkansas, defining the “small school” label that often motivates sub-FBS prospects who believe they are flying under the radar.
“A kid coming from a small town with big dreams. I’m living it out,” Walker said. “I’d just say consistency and hard work really do pay off.”
Walker won the Buck Buchanan Award voting going away, racking up 68 tackles (45 solos), 23 tackles for loss (121 yards) and 10.5 sacks in 12 games as a senior, while also setting career highs with four forced fumbles, eight quarterback hurries and six pass breakups. He set UCA career records with 63 tackles for loss and 31 sacks over the three seasons, also establishing the Bears’ single-game record with 6.5 TFLs against Tarleton State in 2023.
Also notably, he had 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble against FBS program Arkansas State as a senior and 1.5 sacks against FCS national power North Dakota State as a junior.
Walker measured in just below 6-foot-1 and at 267 pounds at the recent Reese’s Senior Bowl, college football’s premier all-star game. That’s not quite prototypical size for an edge defender at the next level, but his explosive first step allows him to convert speed to power, which he used to pass rush against the larger offensive linemen. His strong finish to the week included a sack during the game.
“I’d say relentless,” the pass rusher summed up his playing style.
Former FCS Football Players Invited to 2025 NFL Combine
With On-Field Workout Date
Feb. 27: Defensive Line and Linebacker
Teddye Buchanan, LB, UC Davis/Cal (6-1½, 236)
David Walker, Edge, Central Arkansas (6-1, 267)
Feb. 28: Defensive Back and Tight End
Marcus Harris, CB, Idaho/Cal (5-11, 190)
Jackson Hawes, TE, Yale/Georgia Tech (6-4, 252)
Isas Waxter, CB, Villanova (6-1, 212)
March 1: Running Back, Quarterback and Wide Receiver
Max Brosmer, QB, New Hampshire/Minnesota (6-1½, 216)
Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware (5-10½, 189)
March 2: Offensive Line and Specialists
Charles Grant, OG, William & Mary (6-4, 300)
Torricelli Simpkins III, OG, North Carolina Central/South Carolina (6-5, 319)
Jackson Slater, OG, Sacramento State (6-2½, 320)
Jalen Travis, OT, Princeton/Iowa State (6-8, 341)
Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M (6-6½, 314)
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State (6-5½, 316)
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