David Walker’s NFL Combine Strategy: Can This Buchanan Award Winner Defy All Expectations?

Ever wonder how some football warriors from small schools end up blowing the big-league scouts away? Take David Walker, for instance — a name that’s been quietly echoing through the corridors of Central Arkansas, now storming the NFL Combine spotlight. This isn’t just any edge rusher; he’s the freshly minted 2024 Buck Buchanan Award winner, a title that screams national defensive player of the year. Despite flying under the mainstream radar, Walker’s relentless grind “when nobody’s watchin’” has sculpted a relentless playmaker whose explosive first steps and cunning power moves could leave NFL linemen scratching their helmets. As he steps onto the grand stage at Lucas Oil Stadium, the question isn’t just if he’ll impress but how he’ll reframe what it means to come from “small school” ranks. Could this be the season we see hard work and consistency rewrite scouting scripts? Let’s dive in and break down why David Walker deserves every ounce of attention heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. LEARN MORE.

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 the 329 prospects announced for 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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