Walker to enter NFL draft

It turns out that Wednesday’s Pinstripe Bowl win over Pittsburgh was the last game Anthony Walker Jr. will play in a Northwestern uniform.

The redshirt junior middle linebacker announced on Friday, just two days after the Wildcats' 31-24 upset win over the No. 23 Panthers, that he would forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

A three-year starter, Walker, finished second on the Wildcat tackles list with 105 this season to go along with 10.0 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles. The team captain overcame a slow start due to a lower body injury in fall camp to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches and third-team from the media.

The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder from Miami (Fla.) Monsignor Pace had a breakout season in 2015, when he was an All-America and first-team All-Big Ten selection after amassing a team-high 122 tackles and 20.5 TFL, the fourth-highest mark in the nation.

In his last game, Walker made seven tackles and had the forced the fourth-quarter fumble that led to the Wildcats’ final field goal.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald released a statement supporting his star player's decision.

"We’re so proud of Anthony, and thrilled for the Walker family. He’s cemented a spot as one of the best players in Northwestern football history, will earn his degree this spring and has the opportunity to pursue his dream. That’s what Wildcats football is all about. I can’t wait to see him on Sundays proudly representing Northwestern and his family!”