Sooner Football Profile: Getting to Know OU D-Lineman Charles Walker
By Chip Rouse
Defensive tackle Charles Walker is second on the Oklahoma team in sacks and tied for third in tackles for a loss, and he has done that mostly in a reserve role.
The redshirt sophomore was a big contributor to the Sooners’ stellar defensive effort in holding offensive powerhouse Baylor more than 200 yards below its season average for offensive yardage in knocking off the previously unbeaten Bears, then ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff standings, on the road and in impressive fashion.
Listed on the OU depth chart as the backup to starting defensive tackle Matt Dimon, Walker played the entire second half against Baylor after Dimon was ejected on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the first half for stepping on the facemask and kicking a Baylor player in the head on an extra-point attempt after a Baylor touchdown.
In 10 games this season, Walker has recorded 31 total tackles, 21 of them of the solo variety, 9 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. The 6-2, 297-pound defensive lineman also has a forced fumble to his credit and two quarterback hurries this season.
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Devin Chafin (28) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Charles Tapper (91) and defensive tackle Charles Walker (97) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Walker, one of 46 players on the Oklahoma roster from the state of Texas, hails from Garland, which is also the hometown of Sooner junior wide receiver Jarvis Baxter. The OU defensive tackle was not heavily recruited out of high school. He was rated two stars by Rivals.com, three stars by 247Sports and the 75th overall player out of Texas by ESPN.com. He did receive offers from Colorado State and Iowa State in addition to Oklahoma.
Walker is considered an important part of a defensive line that has good depth this season for the first time in a number of seasons. That depth enables the Sooners to rotate players in and out, keep fresh players in the game and not lose much in the process.
All that subbing also helps keep the group healthy and fresh,” Stoops told OU beat writer Jason Kersey, who writes for the Oklahoma City Oklahoman, before the Sooners game against Baylor. “They’ve all shared snaps so nobody’s had to beat too much of the task.”
Walker’s practice reps and performance in games also has caught the attention of defensive teammate Charles Tapper. “There’s nothing you can do to stop the guy,” he said to the Oklahoman’s Kersey. “When he sets it in his mind, that he’s gonna blow you up, good luck.”