As Nebraska spring football approaches, Husker Extra is counting down the 25 most intriguing players expected to participate.
A couple of notes: This isn’t best player or most important. As a list based on intrigue, it skews a bit toward youth and new players, but there will be plenty of established contributors, too.
Those not considered include Luke Gifford (hip surgery), Breon Dixon (2018 eligibility not yet determined), Noah Vedral (must sit 2018 after transferring) and any 2018 recruit who is not yet enrolled and therefore not participating in spring ball.
Tyjon Lindsey was No. 25. Next up: A redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Lincoln East.
No. 24: Chris Walker, OL, redshirt freshman
Walker seems like the type of player that first-year Nebraska head coach Scott Frost might immediately like.
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Officially listed at 6-foot-8 and 275 pounds, Walker is dedicated to physical conditioning. In fact, he's made an almost stunning physical transformation from a 6-1, 300-pound freshman at East. You see an old photo and can barely tell it's him.
"I was a big boy," he said with a grin.
As a junior at East, Walker began to reshape himself through rigorous weight training and intelligent eating. It paid off. He made 75 tackles, including 16 sacks, in 2016 for an East team that reached the Class A state semifinals.
Entering spring ball next month, part of the intrigue with Walker is what position he'll play. Although he practiced as an offensive lineman last season, he has said that he would gladly play defense.
Why is the defensive side so appealing to him?
"You mean other than smacking people?" he told the Journal Star last year.
Then, of course, there's the fitness part of the discussion.
"Look at a typical offensive lineman, then look at a defensive lineman," Walker said. "There's often quite a difference."
Walker originally committed to Wyoming before receiving a scholarship offer from Nebraska last January — very late in the process. His message to Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl was simple:
He didn't grow up wanting to play for Wyoming.
Yeah, Frost might just like this kid.