Mykal Walker
refer to caption
Walker in 2021
No. 38 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-08-28) August 28, 1997
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:Vacaville
(Vacaville, California)
College:
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 4 / Pick: 119
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-MW (2018, 2019)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2023
Total tackles:217
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:4
Pass deflections:13
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Mykal Walker (born August 28, 1997) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Fresno State, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

College career

Walker tackling an Air Force ballcarrier in 2019

Walker played two seasons at Azusa Pacific University before transferring to Fresno State. In 2019, he had 91 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5 pass deflections.[1] Walker finished his two seasons at Fresno State with 182 tackles including 22.5 tackles for a loss, 10 pass defenses and 6.5 sacks. Walker was named a two-time First-team All-Mountain West Conference selection, along with being named the Defensive MVP during the 2018 Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game.[2][3] Walker ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 3 in
(1.91 m)		 230 lb
(104 kg)		 32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		4.65 s1.62 s2.73 s4.25 s7.09 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[4][5]

Atlanta Falcons

Walker was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 119th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.[3]

In Week 14 of the 2021 season, Walker intercepted Cam Newton and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown in a 29-21 win over the Carolina Panthers.[6]

On August 13, 2023, the Falcons waived Walker.[7]

Chicago Bears

On August 14, 2023, the Chicago Bears claimed Walker off waivers.[8] He was waived on August 29, 2023.[9]

Las Vegas Raiders

On September 19, 2023, Walker signed with the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders.[10] He was released on October 24.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On October 30, 2023, Walker signed with the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.[11] On November 18, he was signed to the Steelers' active roster.[12]

Personal life

Mykal Walker has a twin brother Malyk. Their father, Michael, played for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team and subsequently joined the New England Patriots, but never played at the NFL level. Michael died of colon cancer in 2012.[13] Mykal Walker's first child, a son, was born in December 2021.[14][15] His cousin is former NFL football running-back Maurice Jones-Drew.

References

  1. 1 2 Galavitz, Anthony (April 25, 2020). "Former Fresno State standout Mykal Walker drafted by Atlanta Falcons in Round 4". Fresno Bee. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Draft Impact: Mykal Walker". Mountain West Connection. May 3, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  3. 1 2 McFadden, Will (April 25, 2020). "2020 NFL Draft: Falcons select Mykal Walker in fourth round". Atlanta Falcons.com. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Mykal Walker Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  5. ↑ "2020 Draft Scout Mykal Walker, Fresno State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Ryan, Falcons stay hot on the road, beat Panthers 29-21". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 12, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  7. ↑ Waack, Terrin (August 13, 2023). "Falcons release their former fourth-round draft pick, LB Mykal Walker". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ Sugrue, Brendan (August 14, 2023). "Bears claim former Falcons LB Mykal Walker, waive LB Kuony Deng". USAToday.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit". ChicagoBears.com. August 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Raiders Sign Falcons Ex Mykal Walker to Practice Squad". SI.com. September 19, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Steelers make practice squad moves". Steelers.com. October 30, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Steelers make roster moves ahead of Sunday's game". Steelers.com. November 18, 2023.
  13. ↑ McFadden, Will (October 30, 2020). "Mykal Walker's father lost his cancer battle, but his dream for his son remains alive". Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  14. ↑ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (December 12, 2021). "Walker celebrates birth of son with pick-six". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  15. ↑ Holcomb, Dave (December 12, 2021). "New Father Mykal Walker Scores First NFL TD Days After Son's Birth". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
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