It’s only been two games, but Gaej Walker has been everything Western Kentucky’s needed – and more.
A team that significantly struggled running the football the past two seasons, the Hilltoppers’ rushing attack has already made drastic improvements through two weeks of the 2019 season – and a big reason for that is Walker.
A 6-foot, 195-pound native of Tampa, Florida, Walker has quickly become WKU’s No. 1 running back after rushing for 252 total yards and three touchdowns against Central Arkansas (152 yards, two TDs) and Florida International (100, 1). Walker’s 252 yards through two games lead all of Conference USA and ranks 11th in the FBS, while his 46 carries also lead C-USA and is tied for seventh in the FBS.
While Walker’s dominant start is quite impressive, it’s even more eye-popping considering that the redshirt junior didn’t even play on the offensive side of the ball in 2018 as he was a defensive back for former WKU coach Mike Sanford and company.
“I’ve been really impressed with him,” first-year WKU coach Tyson Helton said. “He’s a former DB, and I was joking with him about him never coming off the field or getting tired. He’s used to playing DB and having to run all over the field. He doesn’t know that a running back – every now and then – comes out of the game, but that’s just who he is. I never see him get tired. He does what we ask of him.”
The running back position isn’t anything new to Walker, though, as he rushed for over 500 yards and six touchdowns as a senior at East Bay Senior High School prior to coming to The Hill in 2016.
Walker will look to continue to make an impact for WKU on Saturday when the Toppers take on Louisville at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
“This game against Louisville will be a great test for him,” Helton said. “This is a good football team we’re about to play and they’re very talented, so he’s really gonna have to handle the run game – and I think he’s set himself apart that he’s the every-down back for us. Just really impressed with him so far.”
