Tampa Bay rookie mini-camp offered a glimpse into the franchise’s future, but few expected the spotlight to shift so quickly to edge rusher David Walker.

While cornerback Jacob Parrish made headlines with a pair of pick-sixes, it was Walker who quietly-and forcefully-established himself as the best player on the field, igniting conversations about his potential to follow in the footsteps of legendary Bucs pass rusher Shaq Barrett.

Walker’s performance was marked by relentless energy and technical polish uncommon for a rookie.

Observers noted his explosive first step and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, traits that have long defined Tampa Bay’s defensive identity.

The buzz around Walker grew even louder after Scott Reynolds, in the latest episode of Pewter Pulse, broke down Walker’s impact and drew early comparisons to Barrett, whose arrival in Tampa Bay transformed the team’s pass rush.

“Walker was everywhere,” Reynolds said in his analysis. “He showed the kind of motor and instinct that you just can’t teach. It’s the same feeling we had when Shaq Barrett first arrived-there’s something special in the way he attacks the edge.”

The Bucs’ coaching staff echoed this sentiment, noting that Walker’s approach to preparation and his adaptability in drills stood out among his peers.

While rookie camps are often about learning and adjustment, Walker appeared to be a step ahead, diagnosing plays and executing with a veteran’s confidence.

Fans have responded with enthusiasm, flooding the PewterReportTV YouTube channel with comments and likes after watching the new Pewter Pulse episode.

The growing community of “Pewter People” has rallied around the idea that Walker could be the next homegrown star, a player capable of revitalizing the Bucs’ pass rush as the team transitions into a new era.

Of course, the comparison to Barrett is not made lightly. Barrett’s journey from undrafted free agent to Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion is the stuff of NFL legend.

Yet, the parallels are hard to ignore: both players arrived in Tampa Bay with something to prove, both possess an underdog mentality, and both have shown a knack for making big plays in critical moments.

As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on Walker to see if he can build on his early momentum.

The Bucs’ defensive coaches are expected to give him every opportunity to earn a significant role, especially with the team seeking to bolster its pass rush depth.

For now, David Walker’s rookie mini-camp performance has set the stage for what could be one of the most intriguing storylines of the Bucs’ 2025 season.

If he continues on this trajectory, the comparisons to Shaq Barrett may soon feel less like hype and more like prophecy.

CONWAY, Ark. — The Central Arkansas family lost a coaching and administrative legend at two universities on Saturday with the passing of Harold Horton.

He passed away Saturday after a lengthy illness at the age of 85.

Listing all of his titles and contributions in the opening would make it too long. He was a good halfback for the Arkansas Razorbacks and won everywhere he coached after his playing days. He was a winner.

Horton, a member of the UCA Sports Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, coached the Bears to seven consecutive AIC football championships from 1983-1989, and to two NAIA National Championships in 1984 and 1985.

The state of Arkansas lost a legend on Saturday. A great football coach and a great person. RIP Coach Horton! https://t.co/j7NcBXRCwt

— 𝗨𝗖𝗔 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 (@UCA_Football) May 4, 2025

Horton was a high school coach and then an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Arkansas, for 13 seasons before coming to UCA in 1982.

He compiled a remarkable 74-12-5 overall record as the Bears’ head coach, and went 45-3-2 in conference play. The Bears won their final 38 regular-season games under Horton’s guidance.

He left UCA after the 1989 season as the winningest football coach in school history, and returned to his alma mater in 1990 to serve in several different administrative roles within the football program, the athletic department and as president of the Razorback Foundation.

The biggest mark Horton made at the Foundation was raising money. He knew supporters of all levels by their first name and would call them personally when they were in the midst of a campaign for various projects. No one has ever done it better.

Horton was a master recruiter, too. At Arkansas he landed players like All-American Dan Hampton out of Jacksonville who later was an All-Pro with the Chicago Bears. Hampton is a member of the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame. There were others, too.

Horton was born in 1939 in DeWitt, Ark. In 1956 he was an all-state halfback for the DeWitt Dragons.

Horton lettered as a defensive halfback for the Razorbacks in 1960 and 1961 under legendary Razorbacks coach and athletics director Frank Broyles and then went into coaching.

He initially coached at Bald Knob and Forrest City compiling a record of 43-15-3.

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has put another one of the Bears into the NFL draft with defensive tackle David Walker being taken in the fourth round.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tabbed Walker, who received accolates on the television broadcast from ESPN’s Mel Kiper and others. Rece Davis stumbled a bit on the pronunciation of Walker’s hometown of Stuttgart, but got it right eventually.

“He dominated at the Senior Bowl all week,” Kiper, the longtime draft analyst for ESPN, said during the draft.

Here’s his official UCA Bears bio:

2023 Season: Three-time All-American in 2023 after being named to six All-America teams in 2022.. was the inaugural United Athletic Conference (UAC) Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and a first-team All-UAC selection… had 57 total tackles, including 18 tackles for loss (-69 yds) and 8.5 sacks (-53 yds), both which led the UAC… also forced a fumble and had a pass break up… was eighth in the nation in FCS in tackles for loss and 20th in the nation in sacks…. broke the school record for single-game tackles for loss with 6.5 against Tarleton State, a game in which he had a season-high 13 tackles…named to numerous preseason All-America teams heading into the 2024 season

2022 Season: played in all 11 games, starting all 11 at defensive end… was the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-ASUN selection in 2022… was one of three national finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award that goes to the top defensive player in the FCS… named to six All-America teams, including Athlon, Stats Perform, Hero Sports, Associated Press, FCS ADA and Phil Steele… led the ASUN in tackles for loss and sacks… finished his first season at UCA with 66 total tackles, including 21.0 tackles for loss (-102 yards) and 12.0 sacks (-83 yards)… had one forced fumble and 1 pass breakup… had 4.0 tackles for loss vs. Missouri State… had 3.5 tackles for loss vs. North Alabama… had 3.5 sacks vs. Stephen F. Austin, tying the school single-game record… had a season-high 9 tackles three times (vs. Southeast Missouri, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State)…

PREVIOUS SCHOOLS: played at NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark… played at Stuttgart (Ark.) High School.. at SAU, started 19 games over two seasons… in his second season with the Muleriders, had 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks… 2021 first-team All-Great American Conference selection… led the GAC in tackles for loss and sacks in 2021… SAU Defensive Player of the Year… All-American Bowl invitee… played football, basketball and soccer at Stuttgart HS