DW #51

David Walker

Linebacker · Central Arkansas

The Buck Buchanan Award winner and highest draft pick in Central Arkansas history, whose rookie year with Tampa Bay was cut short by a torn ACL.

David Walker built one of the most dominant pass-rushing resumes in the FCS at Central Arkansas, racking up 39.0 career sacks and winning the Buck Buchanan Award as the division's top defensive player. The Buccaneers made him their fourth-round pick in 2025, but a torn ACL in training camp ended his rookie season before it started.

★ Buck Buchanan Award winner (2024), FCS's top defensive player

★ First-team FCS All-American (2024)

★ 39.0 career sacks at Central Arkansas

★ Highest draft pick in Central Arkansas program history

Path to the league

A Stuttgart, Arkansas native, Walker began his college career at Southern Arkansas University before transferring to Central Arkansas in 2022. He became the program's most decorated defender, earning conference defensive player of the year honors in each of his three seasons there. The Buccaneers selected him with the 121st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the highest draft pick in University of Central Arkansas history.

Career highlights

Over his three seasons at Central Arkansas (2022-2024), Walker amassed 39.0 sacks, 82.5 tackles for loss, 244 tackles, six forced fumbles and eight passes defensed. In 2024 alone he posted 68 tackles and 10.5 sacks, earning the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in FCS and first-team FCS All-American honors.

2025 season recap

Walker's rookie season never got off the ground. He tore his ACL during training camp and was placed on injured reserve on July 28, 2025, missing the entire season. He wears number 51 for Tampa Bay and is working through recovery ahead of the 2026 season.