RICHMOND – Virginia Tech DT Ricky Walker has been named one of three finalists for the Bill Dudley Award, presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Richmond to the top NCAA Division I player in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Earlier this week, that organized named Walker the state's top defensive lineman for the 2018 season.
Walker (6-2, 300) was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2018 and earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following Tech's 34-31 overtime victory over Virginia on Nov. 23. That win marked Tech's 15th consecutive victory over its in-state rival. Walker wore the Beamer No. 25 jersey in the Senior Day contest, joining CB Greg Stroman as the only other player to earn that distinction three times.
A team captain and the Bell Cow of the Lunch Pail Defense, Walker will play his final contest for the Hokies against Cincinnati in the Military Bowl on Dec. 31, a contest that will mark Tech's 26th consecutive bowl appearance, the longest active streak in the nation and the third-longest in college football history.
The two other finalists for the Dudley Award are CB Jimmy Moreland of James Madison and QB Bryce Perkins of UVA.