Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Walker Embracing Larger Role
August 27, 2025 | Football
The senior defensive end is elevating his presence on defense
BOULDER, Colo. – The Colorado Buffaloes open the 2025 football season with a marquee matchup against Georgia Tech (Friday, 6 p.m. MT, ESPN) on Friday at Folsom Field.
It's been almost a month of the Buffs' offense and defense trying to one-up each other during fall camp and the growing sentiment inside the locker room is that Friday's kickoff can't come soon enough.
"I'm really excited," senior Arden Walker said with a smile. "Obviously, we've been in camp this whole time, hitting the same guys for 30 days straight. Now, we get to go beat up on Georgia Tech. That's the goal to go and compete. I'm excited."
The Missouri transfer, now entering his third year as a Buff, is looking to lead CU's defensive front. His 25 games with the Black & Gold are tied with Ben Finneseth for the most on the defensive unit. He ended last season with 33 total tackles, four and a half sacks, and was graded as the second-highest ranked edge player in the Big 12 according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
As one of the elder statesmen on the defensive front, Walker is ready to lead both in the meeting room and on the gridiron.
"Personally, I feel like I've hit a learning curve," Walker explained. "I think I've always done it [lead] from just from little league and growing up and being around certain guys and people gravitating towards me, but now I think just in terms of how to lead and how to get to guys, especially grown men, getting them to put their pride aside and listen to me. I feel like I've taken certain steps to relate to guys, no matter where you come from, and then obviously having a common goal, which is to win."
Coach Prime hasn't yet announced who will be tagged as his Leaders and Dawgs, but Walker could arguably fall into either category with his play on the field speaking just as loud as his words to his teammates.
"I think everybody's understanding their role," Walker noted about his unit. "I think we're starting to mold into that [cohesive unit], especially going into the first game. Over the course of time, we still have to figure out who's going to be what and know who can do what.
"Everyone has bought in. It's good to see. Even the young guys are trying to figure it out. In my room, Alex [McPherson] and London [Merritt] ask me questions and take advice from me to add to their games."
As far as the game goes on Friday, it will be CU's first time matching up with the Yellow Jackets, despite being forever intertwined in college football lore.
Colorado and Georgia Tech notoriously split the 1990 national championship, with Colorado finishing No. 1 in the Associated Press voting, while Georgia Tech took the No. 1 spot in the United Press International (coaches) poll.
"It's a new life, obviously going from fall camp, the hard weeks, a month of just training and getting ready for the season," Walker added. "Obviously, we're here now, new life pretty much in the locker room and amongst the program."
It's been almost a month of the Buffs' offense and defense trying to one-up each other during fall camp and the growing sentiment inside the locker room is that Friday's kickoff can't come soon enough.
"I'm really excited," senior Arden Walker said with a smile. "Obviously, we've been in camp this whole time, hitting the same guys for 30 days straight. Now, we get to go beat up on Georgia Tech. That's the goal to go and compete. I'm excited."
The Missouri transfer, now entering his third year as a Buff, is looking to lead CU's defensive front. His 25 games with the Black & Gold are tied with Ben Finneseth for the most on the defensive unit. He ended last season with 33 total tackles, four and a half sacks, and was graded as the second-highest ranked edge player in the Big 12 according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
As one of the elder statesmen on the defensive front, Walker is ready to lead both in the meeting room and on the gridiron.
"Personally, I feel like I've hit a learning curve," Walker explained. "I think I've always done it [lead] from just from little league and growing up and being around certain guys and people gravitating towards me, but now I think just in terms of how to lead and how to get to guys, especially grown men, getting them to put their pride aside and listen to me. I feel like I've taken certain steps to relate to guys, no matter where you come from, and then obviously having a common goal, which is to win."
Coach Prime hasn't yet announced who will be tagged as his Leaders and Dawgs, but Walker could arguably fall into either category with his play on the field speaking just as loud as his words to his teammates.
"I think everybody's understanding their role," Walker noted about his unit. "I think we're starting to mold into that [cohesive unit], especially going into the first game. Over the course of time, we still have to figure out who's going to be what and know who can do what.
"Everyone has bought in. It's good to see. Even the young guys are trying to figure it out. In my room, Alex [McPherson] and London [Merritt] ask me questions and take advice from me to add to their games."
As far as the game goes on Friday, it will be CU's first time matching up with the Yellow Jackets, despite being forever intertwined in college football lore.
Colorado and Georgia Tech notoriously split the 1990 national championship, with Colorado finishing No. 1 in the Associated Press voting, while Georgia Tech took the No. 1 spot in the United Press International (coaches) poll.
"It's a new life, obviously going from fall camp, the hard weeks, a month of just training and getting ready for the season," Walker added. "Obviously, we're here now, new life pretty much in the locker room and amongst the program."
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