Bio: Ricky Walker was born in Newport News, VA to Richard Walker Sr. and Asia Garcia. He is a Redshirt Senior at Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in Sociology. Ricky has an older brother, a younger brother, and two younger sisters. His older brother, Rijo, was a four-year letterman at Virginia and now serves as team operations coordinator for the College Football Playoff.
Stats: 2017: Started all 13 games… Made 41 tackles,12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one fumble recovery touchdown… Had one pass break up and six quarter back hurries… ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week (10/23)… 2016: Played in all 14 games making four starts on the season... Made 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks... Had four pass breakups and four quarterback hurries… Recorded two kick returns for 19 yards on special teams.
Quote from Virginia Tech's Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster:
"There's plenty of reasons why we call Ricky Walker the Bell Cow of our defense. First, he's a dynamic football player. He's explosive and powerful. But he brings much more than talent and athleticism to our defense. He's the guy everybody looks to as a leader. He's the guy they follow in terms of work ethic, preparation and attention to detail. Ricky is a great representative of Virginia Tech and embodies everything that The Lunch Pail Defense is about."
The recipient of the Defender of the Nation Award will be announced on November 1st from one of the Nation's (9) military academies and institutions including Air Force Academy, The Citadel, Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, VMI and West Point and is based on exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipient must also exhibit a high standard of integrity by leading through example.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet presented by ACN, will be held on Monday, December 3rd at the Charlotte Convention Center. In addition to honoring the 2018 Defender of the Nation Award winner, the banquet will celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy sponsored by ACN and Legends Award sponsored by Rolle Oral & Facial Surgery. Ohio State's Tom Cousineau, a College Football Hall of Famer will be honored as the Legends Award winner and Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is slated as the keynote speaker.
ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE TOUCHDOWN CLUB AND ITS PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C. region. Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a Sponsor Team of more than 80 companies. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Through corporate and individual support, more than $2,000,000 has been raised to benefit the club's scholarship efforts. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.com). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.com.