COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri graduate student defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. earned Southeastern Conference Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following the Tigers’ 28-21 victory over Arkansas on Saturday.
Walker Jr.’s recognition is the first of his career and is the Tigers’ fourth weekly award nod this season after kicker Blake Craig was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 16, running back Nate Noel was selected the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23 and linebacker Triston Newson was tabbed the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 11.
Walker Jr. finished with a career high 11 tackles against the Razorbacks and added 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles, and one quarterback hurry. Both of his forced fumbles led to Mizzou rushing touchdowns, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead in first quarter and a 17-14 edge in fourth frame. The Tampa, Florida, native helped anchor a Missouri defense that limited Arkansas to just 3-of-11 on third-down conversions.
Additionally with his 1.0 sack on Saturday, he extended the nation’s longest standing consecutive sack streak, which currently sits at six-straight outings. He leads the team with 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three caused fumbles on the year and is tied for 13th all-time on Mizzou’s career sack chart with 16.5.
The SEC’s other weekly honors included Alabama’s Tyler Booker (co-offensive line), LSU’s Whit Weeks (co-defensive), Aaron Anderson (co-special teams) and Dominick McKinley (co-freshman), Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen (co-defensive line), South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers (co-offensive) and Kai Kroeger (co-special teams), Tennessee’s Andrej Karic (co-offensive line) and Nico Iamaleava (co-freshman), and Texas’ Quintrevion Wisner (co-offensive) and Vernon Broughton (co-defensive).
The Tigers will learn their bowl destination on Sunday, December 8.
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