Following a standout true freshman season, UCF defensive tackle John Walker has been named an On3 True Freshman All-American, the organization announced on Thursday.
Walker becomes the first freshman All-American for the Knights since Matt Lee claimed the honor in 2020.
The Kissimmee, Florida, native played in all 12 games and recorded 22 tackles, including five tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. Walker also notched a half sack against in UCF’s win 28-26 win at Cincinnati.
He made his first career start at Kansas and recorded three solo tackles. Walker turned in one of his best performances of the season in the Knights’ dominant 45-3 win over then-No. 15 Oklahoma State, as he tallied four tackles with a pair of solo stops and a tackle for loss. He played a key role in UCF’s defense limiting Ollie Gordon, the nation’s leading rusher, to just 25 yards and the Cowboys as a team to just 52.
Walker logged a season-high five tackles against Villanova, headlined by three solo tackles.