(S24) - PT 4 - Trial by Fire

[deadlunatic]

Coming from a successful college career as the leading receiver on the team at a school with a high powered offense, it was quite a shock in week 1 for Mark Walker. After playing in the prospect bowl and doing really well against other rookies, it may have led him to think he would make a bigger impact from day 1. Week one of his rookie season, stat line of 1 reception for 9 yards. Not exactly ground breaking for a rookie. Now, in all honesty, with two star receivers ahead of him on the depth chart and two star running backs in the backfield there should have been lower expectations. But, being a competitor and wanting to win and improve definitely made him get his hopes up a little to high. Luckily it motivated him to get in the gym and work harder than ever to be able to contribute on the field. It takes time to get caught up to these players with even a year of extra playing time and access to these facilities. 

But that hard work has helped the team a couple of times this season. After week seven, Mark Walker has the fifth most receiving yards out of all rookies, with the highest average yards per catch at 12.7 yards per. He has added two touchdowns and has a long of 29 yards, also the longest by a rookie. He is actually 18th in receiving yards out of all receivers in the DSFL with two of his team mates ahead of him with them being in second and seventh in yards each. He is on pace to finish the season in the range of the other rookies, if he can manage a game or two with a few extra receptions he could finish in the lead of a couple categories out of the rookies.