From JUCO Standout To Division I Star and Beyond
10/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 17, 2011
Written by: Cedrique Flemming, University of Tulsa Media Relations
This story originally appeared in the Oct. 15 edition of Hurricane Illustrated for the Tulsa vs. UAB football game.
Tyrunn Walker is a starting defensive end for The University of Tulsa football team. He is also one of the leaders of the team and serves as a captain for the Golden Hurricane.
The 6-3, 273-pound senior from New Iberia, La., has only been on the squad for a year and a half, but he immediately earned the respect of his teammates.
"Big T is really a special leader. His talent on the field gives him an ability to lead, but he takes it beyond that," Tulsa head coach Bill Blankenship said. "He's a really good locker room guy. He's not one of those guys that say a lot, but when he talks, everybody listens."
Walker came to Tulsa from Jones County Junior College, where he spent two years earning a plethora of accolades as a member of the Bobcats.
He was named a first-team NJCAA All-American after recording 47 tackles and five quarterback sacks in 2009. He also earned first-team all-conference, all-region and all-state accolades. He was named the Most Valuable Lineman in the Conference's South Division.
"I played a lot my freshman year, but I didn't get into the starting role until late in the season," Walker said. "I came in that second year with a lot of hype. I played really well and got a lot of sacks, so I was able to get some recognition on the national level."
Walker came to Tulsa with the expectation of contributing off the bench his first year, but he wowed the coaches and was thrust into a starting role from Day One.
"Through the recruiting process, Coach (former TU co-defensive coordinator Paul) Randolph told me that he needed me to come in and play immediately," Walker said. "The depth wasn't as great as it is now on the defensive line, so I expected to come in and be a spark off the bench. My goal was to start eventually, but I came in, worked hard and earned the starting job for the whole season."
Walker did provide that spark on the defensive line, as he recorded 43 tackles (12 for loss) and 5.5 sacks while starting all 13 games. He also broke up three passes, recorded two QB hurries and recovered two fumbles to be named an honorable mention all-Conference USA selection.
Walker has been a mainstay on the defensive line since joining Tulsa in 2010 and has started all six games this year. He has tallied 15 tackles (six for loss) and two sacks in 2011, and he also has three pass breakups, two QB hurries and one blocked kick.
"I have played well to start this season, but I know I can do a lot better the rest of the year," Walker said. "I'm one of the only veterans other than (junior) Cory Dorris on the defensive line, so I sometimes find myself doing too much directing instead of just playing. We have seven games left, so I have plenty of time to obtain my goals."
Walker is focused on the remaining six games this season, but he knows the NFL could be in his very near future.
"I think I have the ability to get drafted, but that comes with hard work and dedication," Walker said. "I have to keep getting after it. I'm just thinking about the season right now, but after the season is over I will turn my attention to the draft."
