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Overview
Twice a first-team All-Sun Belt selection as a passing-down defensive end for the Blue Raiders, Walden will move to linebacker in the NFL. He racked up 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as a junior, but his production dropped to 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2007, as he played in more of a rotation system.
Walden is the first Blue Raider to be drafted into the NFL since wide receiver Tyrone Calico 2003. He's the first MTSU defender to be drafted since Anthony Hicks in 1997 and the first Blue Raider defensive end ever drafted.
Analysis
Positives: Quick off the snap and gets around the edge in a hurry ... Gets under pads of the tackle to push him into the backfield ... Can also use his hands to rip across the body of his blocker and disengage ... Will hustle downfield and down the line to get to ballcarriers ... Has nice closing speed, smells the ball out and attacks the line.
Negatives: Considered a defensive end/linebacker 'tweener by most teams because he lacks height and girth to play end and is inexperienced at linebacker ... Wears down as the game goes on, tending to stand around once making first contact with a blocker ... Will run around blocks rather than explode into them in the hole ... Needs to be a special teams contributor to make it at the next level.
Career Notes
The Blue Raiders' all-time leader and second all-time in the Sun Belt with 22.5 career sacks ... First Team All-Sun Belt choice in 2006 and 2007 ... Lombardi Watch List nominee in 2007.
High School
Earned first-team Associated Press all-state honors after guiding Dublin to a 14-1 record and a spot in the state title game in 2002 (lost to Screven Co. and future Blue Raider teammate Sean Mosley) ... Was a Macon Telegraph first team all-Middle Georgia selection while also begin tabbed the Courier-Herald Heart of Georgia Defensive Player of the Year ... Ended his senior year with 97 total tackles and a school-record 19.0 sacks ... Also tallied 11 tackles for loss, recovered two fumbles and had one interception ... As a running back, Walden averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns while registering 16 receptions for four more scores ... He finished with 837 yards of total offense ... Lettered in football, basketball and track ... Played football for Coach Roger Holmes.
Personal
Parents: Johnny and Shirley Walden ... Born: 8/21/85 ... Major: Physical Education.
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