Walker named receiver to watch by The Sports Network

[May 23, 2012]  PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Illinois State senior wide receiver Tyrone Walker has already put his stamp on the Redbird record books and is in position to catch current Jacksonville Jaguar and former Redbird all-American Laurént Robinson at the top of all the ISU all-time charts in his final season. Thanks to his consistency and playmaking ability, Walker was selected as one of the Football Championship Subdivision 10 wide receivers to watch by Craig Haley of The Sports Network on Tuesday.

The three-year starter was the only Missouri Valley Football Conference player named to the list. A 2011 All-MVFC Second-Team selection, Walker led the team with 64 catches for 787 yards and eight touchdowns on the season and averaged 12.3 yards per catch.

In 2010, the Indianapolis, Ind., native was an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Second-Team selection, led the Redbirds with 974 yards receiving on 59 catches and hauled in 12 touchdown passes, the second-highest single-season mark in school history. That followed up a freshman campaign that saw Walker named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team, after he led all league freshmen with 37 receptions for 485 yards set an ISU freshman record with those 37 receptions.

Teaming up with senior quarterback Matt Brown, who was named to the TSN quarterbacks to watch list earlier in May, the duo has become one of the most prolific in school and conference history. Walker ranks fourth in the ISU record books in career receiving yards (2,246) and receptions (160) and is second in career receiving touchdowns with 23. If Walker puts up numbers consistent with his career averages, he will catch Robinson atop all three categories following the year.

Walker and the rest of the Redbirds will open the 2012 season at Hancock Stadium on Sept.1, against Pioneer Football League opponent Dayton.

[Text from news release received from Michael Williams, Illinois State University]