Darius Walker brings veteran glue-and-grit at linebacker for Illinois State
In the 2024 season, Illinois State senior linebacker Darius Walker logged 22 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery in five games, including a season-high seven tackles against Western Illinois.[3][6][10] At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he profiles as an instinctive, physical, high-effort defender whose value goes beyond the box score: he earned NFF Hampshire Honor Society recognition in 2025, a strong indicator of the kind of discipline, leadership, and academic reliability coaches love.[2][11] He looks like a solid fit for a defense that wants an experienced, dependable tone-setter in the middle.[3][12]
