Arden Walker/Missouri
Colorado's Arden Walker returns home after starting in the SEC
Arden Walker is happy to be home.
The former Missouri Tigers defensive lineman is following in his father's footsteps by transferring to Colorado. Art Walker played for the Buffs in the late 80’s and has been key to his son's success.
A product of Cherry Creek HS, Walker decided on Mizzou over CU in hopes of securing a starting spot. He racked up eight tackles (1.5 for loss) and a fumble recovery in 16 games for the Tigers. Right now, Walker's focus is to contribute to Charles Kelly's defensive corps and make a name for himself in the Pac-12.
Walker went on the record with Life and Football for an exclusive interview. He talks about his transition back to the Centennial State from the Ozarks, along with what it's like to be with Deion Sanders in Boulder.
"I took it for granted," Walker said. "Even seeing the scenery and all that being in Colorado," I'm just happy to be around my family."
The pace that Colorado is building is different from the ones established by past coaches, and has even accelerated from Coach Prime's tenure at Jackson State. Some of the current Buffaloes who transitioned with Sanders from JSU have given Walker a heads up about conditioning into the fall. But none of that is new after being in the SEC.
"For the most part, everybody is just still curious about how it's about to go," Walker noted about Sanders' first season at CU. "But, I mean, of course they said like what they did in the past. It's gonna be my third fall camp. I was in SEC and just really battle out almost every single day. I know how to grind it out."
Being in the SEC was eye-opening for Walker coming from his high school days in Colorado. He expected to play in some of the most packed stadiums college football has to offer. However, there is something about Neyland Stadium and the Rocky Top atmosphere that's second-to-none for him.
"They take it serious SEC. That's at the top of the top," Walker said. "I'll say this past year when we went to Tennessee, and they had the first possession. When we're on offense, it was so loud on that third down. Oh my gosh, like the stadium rocking. I love that. That's the vibe that you bring to football. I know it's gonna be like that when we go to Oregon. "
Walker shares the title of Mr. Football Colorado with his high school coach, Dave Logan, who won the award while at Wheat Ridge in 1971. The CU alumni when on to nine-year NFL career before becoming the play-by-play voice of the Denver Broncos.
Walker comes to CU with three years of eligibility remaining.
