The calendar has been in accelerated in college football this year. Fresno State and Florida International have already hired head coaches for the 2017 season. Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd left his team with a month to go. And now Oklahoma defensive tackle Charles Walker will reportedly leave his team to prepare for the NFL Draft.
There’s been an odd push in some circles to see high-value college players (Jadeveon Clowney, Leonard Fournette) to skip their final seasons to complete year-long Draft prep, and that camp apparently has its first convert.
#Oklahoma star DT Charles Walker told coach Bob Stoops that he's leaving the team immediately to prepare for the draft. He's projected high
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2016
The circumstances here are different than a Clowney or Fournette situation. Walker suffered a concussion against TCU on Oct. 1 and hasn’t played since.
A Garland, Texas, native, Walker was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection a year ago but missed the Sooners’ Orange Bowl loss to Clemson with concussion symptoms as well.
He’ll finish his career with 53 tackles, 13 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble.