Four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and yet the most eye catching part of defensive tackle Ricky Walker's stat line in Virginia Tech's 59-7 romp over North Carolina was a 12-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. The Hokies' initial points of the afternoon.
"That's actually my first touchdown ever," said Walker of his scoop-and-score. "I was lucky enough to get the Sunday hop. It hopped right in my hands. I just knew that they was going to blow it incomplete. I just ran to the end zone, and the next thing you know my teammates celebrating with me. So I'm just celebrating also. I was happy. I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time."
VT's Ricky Walker became the 49th different defensive player under coordinator @coachfostervt to score a TD
— Jimmy Robertson (@jrobIHS) October 21, 2017
I'm most certainly not going to let a fat guy touchdown, especially one by one of the most dominant DTs in the Power Five, simply fly under the radar.
Comments
Nice
I was so exhausted from the week, I slept through this.
I was in the stadium, in my seat.
Looking forward to the replay.
Ricky leading that D. Having a great year and playing unbelievable amount of snaps. Hope he starts getting his props. Been the underdog a long time since coming out with that huge Va dline class in 2014
If we can convince him and big Tim to stick around for next year, things are going to happen.
Is there really a danger of them leaving? They're playing great but they are both still early on, no?
Rick's a r-Jr. His improvement has been steady. I don't know if the technique adjustment French previewed in his "Notes That Won't Make The UNC Film Review" is referring to him, but he's gone from a being a big, one-trick space eater to being a quick, strong, every-down problem for OLs. Great motor, great hands, and most importantly, prototypical size. He's really turned himself into an NFL guy.
Timmy's a bit different. Elite size, strength, shape. Some guys are just built to do certain things - Tim Settle was graced with a body type called Nose Tackle. He's Cortez Kennedy. He's Vince Wilfork. Work ethic to match. Future first-rounder IMO.
We have a lot of football left - and I fully expect both of them to get a lot of attention for their play down the stretch. Wouldn't be surprised to see a little All-America love from some of the services (hon mention etc). I think both guys would hear their names called next spring if they entered the '18 draft - their measurables alone would be hard to overlook for any front office decision-maker in need of a DT - but I haven't heard much buzz on Ricky leaving early (again, kind of a late bloomer), and Timmy's only a r-So so there's not a ton of write-up on his draft prospects (and not a ton of history of underclassmen NTs on NFL draft boards I don't think). Chances are they're both back next year. Right?
FATMAN SCOOP, CROOKYLN CLAN, TIMBERLAND, TIMBERLAND
Leg for my favorite producer ever.
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Couldn't have happened to a better person. Proud of Ricky and great to see his hard work pay off.
There are not enough #25 jerseies to go around next week for our defensive front line. Great job guys!!!