Charles Walker, one of the top defensive linemen in the 2017 NFL Draft, will leave Oklahoma early to prepare for the NFL Draft
In years past we have seen injured players (Myles Jack) declare for the NFL Draft mid-season when they know they will not be returning to the collegiate field that season.
Very rarely, if not never, have we seen a star player on a team fighting for a top-10 finish and a New Years six-bowl leave with only a few games remaining.
As Oklahoma awaits to know if they will return to the college football playoff prominence, they learn one of their best players is fleeing while he can.
Defensive tackle Charles Walker announced he would leave the program to prepare for the NFL Draft. Walker is projected to be one of the best defensive linemen available when the Draft is opened in Philadelphia next spring.
Sources tell me RS-junior DL Charles Walker won't return for #Sooners this season. Sources also say Walker intends to enter NFL draft.
— Carey Murdock (@CareyAMurdock) November 15, 2016
Two sides can been seen to Walker’s decision to declare early. One side will say he bailed on his teammates and is selfish, while the other understands he has higher aspirations and does not want to be in class when he could be training.
Next: College Football Playoff Predictions
Walker has been out with a concussion, and was scheduled to visit with team doctors on Monday to determine his status. The star lineman may have learned he would be out for the foreseeable future, and took the quick route out to make sure he gets all the right treatment and workouts in for the NFL Combine.
Matt Dimon will not be back this year, ending his career. Charles Walker meets with trainers today to see if there's a change in his status.
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 14, 2016
Walker has been projected to be drafted anywhere from the late-first round to the mid-third after an inconsistent 2016 season for the Sooners.