Walker grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Cass Technical High School.[2][3] In addition to playing football, he was also a member of the basketball team.[4] Walker made 28 with 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles in his junior season.[5] He had 43 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks in seven games as a senior.[6] Walker was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Kentucky from 30 total scholarship offers, including programs such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State.[7][8]
College career
Walker entered his freshman season at Kentucky as a member of the defensive line rotation before becoming a starter three games into the year.[9] He was named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Award.[10][11]