CONWAY, Ark. — Tampa Bay had a history of finding impact players outside the first round, and in 2025, fourth-round pick David Walker could be the latest to make his mark.

Selected 121st overall out of Central Arkansas, Walker arrives in Tampa Bay with a resume that stands out among recent FCS prospects.

Walker capped his college career as a three-time unanimous FCS All-American, the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award winner, and a three-time conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Over 34 games, he amassed 191 tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, eight pass breakups, and six forced fumbles, setting program records for both tackles for loss and sacks.

His dominance was further highlighted by a 6.5-TFL performance against Tarleton State in 2024, a single-game school record.

Despite questions about his size-standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 263 pounds-Walker’s explosiveness and relentless motor have drawn praise from Buccaneers coaches and scouts.

“Speed – he contributes that, and I think he’s accumulated about [a lot of] sacks,” said outside linebackers coach Larry Foote. “He understands how to pressure the quarterback; it comes naturally to him.

“He’s a natural at pass rushing. Although he may be shorter in stature, his speed is something that can’t be taught, and he has shown significant improvement. I’ve been following his journey over the years. His performance continues to elevate.”

Walker’s speed, suddenness, and ability to convert quickness into power have already impressed during rookie minicamp.

“When you have that inside perspective as a coach, knowing him personally and understanding which motivational tactics work or don’t work, you can gauge whether he needs firm coaching or a supportive approach,” Foote said.

He knows. He tried to get him to Temple when he was coaching there, but the Stuttgart native wasn’t getting that far away.

That relationship could help Walker adjust quickly to the NFL.

The Buccaneers’ need for a spark in their pass rush was evident after last year’s second-round pick Chris Braswell struggled to make an immediate impact, and the team added veteran Haason Reddick on a one-year deal.

Walker’s arrival injects competition and depth into a group that also features Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson.

Walker’s knack for making plays in the backfield is a trait the Bucs hope will translate to the NFL. At UCA, a remarkable 33.8% of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage.

He also brings a “violence” to his game that should serve him well against pro-level blockers.

While he may not have elite length or the fastest 40-yard dash (4.69 seconds), his instincts and production speak for themselves.

If Walker can replicate even a portion of his college disruption, he could be the next in a line of Buccaneers mid-round gems, following in the footsteps of players like Yaya Diaby and Shaq Barrett.

As coach Todd Bowles emphasized, improving the four-man pass rush is a priority, and Walker’s arrival gives the Bucs a new weapon to achieve that goal.

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.