Marquise Walker facts for kids

Marquise Walker (born December 11, 1978) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver and punt returner in the National Football League (NFL).

Before playing professionally, he was a star college football player for the Michigan Wolverines. He set many receiving records for his school. In 2001, he was named an All-American. That year, he also led the Big Ten Conference in receptions.

In high school, Walker also set several important football records in New York State. He was known for making amazing one-handed catches during the 2001 college football season.

High School Football Star

Marquise Walker was born in Syracuse, New York. He was a high school football All-American at Henninger High School in Syracuse. He was also a great basketball player. He scored over twenty points per game as a sophomore and junior. However, he decided to focus on football instead.

In high school, he set many records for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). These included:

• Most career receptions (181)
• Most receptions in a single season (80)
• Most career receiving yards (3352)

He also had the second-highest single-season receiving yards total (1190). His 13 touchdowns in one season were the third-highest in state history. Overall, he scored 35 career touchdowns for Henninger.

Walker also played defensive back. He made 200 tackles and 14 interceptions. He was named the Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year for New York State. In 1997, he was part of the USAToday All-USA high school football team. In 1998, Sporting News ranked him as the ninth best high school football player in the country.

While Walker set many records, some of them were later broken. For example, Bruce Williams broke his career high school records in 2004.

College Football Highlights

Walker is especially remembered for two amazing one-handed catches he made in 2001. Before the 2002 NFL draft, a senior executive for the Baltimore Ravens said Walker's college catches were some of the best he had seen in a long time.

One of these catches was a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 27, 2001. Michigan was behind 21–7 but came back to win 32–26. Walker's hometown newspaper, The Post-Standard, described the catch. It said he leaped and tipped the ball with his fingertips. Then, as he fell, he caught the ball and held it to his chest for a touchdown.

Walker played football for Michigan from 1998 to 2001. He finished his college career with 176 receptions, 2,269 yards, and 17 touchdowns. During his time at Michigan, he played on two Big Ten Championship teams (1998, 2000).

Record-Breaking Performances

On September 8, 2001, playing against Washington, Walker set a Michigan record. He had 15 receptions in one game. He tied this record later that season against Ohio State. This record stood for many years. Both of these 15-reception games were in losses for Michigan.

In the Washington game, he had 159 yards and two touchdowns. In the Ohio State game, he had 160 yards and two touchdowns. These were his highest receiving yard totals in a single game. He also had a 150-yard game against the Michigan State football team in the same season.

Walker set several other records at Michigan that were later broken. His total career receptions broke the school record previously held by Anthony Carter. In 2001, his senior year, Walker set Michigan single-season records with 86 receptions and 1,143 receiving yards. He also broke the record for most consecutive games with a reception (32 games). These records were all broken by Braylon Edwards in 2004.

Walker also set a single-season record with six games where he gained over 100 receiving yards. This record has since been broken by other players.

Special Teams and Awards

During his time at Michigan, Walker blocked a total of four punts. One of these blocks helped Michigan score a field goal in a 20–17 win against Wisconsin in 2001. His four blocked punts are still a Michigan record.

In 2001, Walker led the Big Ten Conference in receptions. He ranked sixth in the nation for receptions per game and 17th for reception yards per game. He also led his team in total yards from scrimmage and All-purpose yards. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2001 season. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best wide receiver in college football.

Professional Football Career

Jon Gruden made Walker his first draft pick as Buccaneer head coach.

Professional football scouts described Walker as a "big, strong receiver" who used his size to catch the ball. However, they noted he "lacked explosive speed." Some believed he didn't have the speed needed to be a wide receiver in the NFL.

In the 2002 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Marquise Walker with the 86th pick in the third round. This was the first player chosen by new Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden.

Walker was part of the Buccaneers team during the 2002 NFL season, but he did not play in any games. He was behind other top receivers on the team. He injured his ankle in August and then tore ligaments in his thumb in September. This required surgery, and he was placed on injured reserve. Because of his injuries, he was not on the team's active roster when the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Before the 2003 NFL season, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He was later released by the Cardinals and briefly joined the Cincinnati Bengals before being released again. The Tennessee Titans then added him to their practice squad and tried to convert him into a tight end.

In February 2004, Walker signed with the New England Patriots for the 2004 NFL season. However, the Patriots released him in July 2004. He later signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League in 2006, but he was waived by the team.

See also

• Lists of Michigan Wolverines football receiving leaders