BOULDER — Arden Walker had a foothold in Missouri, but he saw the possibility of a trampoline in Boulder.
Walker, a Cherry Creek High School product and son of a former star Buffs defensive lineman, made an impact as a redshirt freshman for the Tigers in the SEC, playing in 12 games and starting the final two contests of 2022. But then Walker decided to transfer to CU, where he turned a decent sophomore campaign into a breakout season as a junior last fall.
Now the bar is raised once more. In his final year of eligibility, Walker asserts he wants to be “one of the best players in the country” on an experienced CU defensive line that expects to be a strength of the team.
“It was a faith-based decision to transfer to CU. I took a chance on myself, especially leaving the SEC, which is the best conference in college football,” Walker said. “I thought it was the best fit for me to come back home, and from a developmental side, I grew into the chances I’ve been given here.
“As I step into (an expanded) role this season, now I really have to produce. I’m expecting myself to. Put numbers on the board, nothing more, nothing less.”
Walker was the second-highest-ranked edge player in the Big 12 last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished 2024 with 33 total tackles (22 unassisted), 6.5 tackles for loss, five hurries and 4.5 sacks.
He showed his game-changing potential in a late September win at UCF, tallying six tackles. Then he did it again in a November win at Texas Tech, with seven tackles and two sacks, including a strip-sack that led to a Shilo Sanders scoop-and-score to ice the game.
CU head coach Deion Sanders is expecting more consistent flash out of Walker this fall.
“We expect him to have an impact on each game,” Sanders said. “… He’s preparing to have a big year. He practices like he’s going to have a big year. … I don’t think he’s going to play in spurts. I think he’s going to have a level of consistency where he’s going to be truly impactful.”
An experienced group surrounds Walker on the D-line.
Junior Quency Wiggins, senior Keaten Wade, junior Samuel Okunlola and junior Nikhil Webb Walker will be featured at defensive end along with Walker. And at tackle, seniors Anquin Barnes Jr. and Amari McNeill are the headliners, while seniors Tawfiq Thomas and Gavriel Lightfoot, graduate Tavian Coleman and junior Jehiem Oatis provide depth.
CU defensive pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp said his unit will be a player-led group.
“I’m not going to demand a lot of myself yelling and screaming at (them),” Sapp said. “(The seniors are) going to make sure everyone’s on time, in meetings, in the treatment, making sure everyone’s doing everything they have to do. When you’re a pack of wild dogs, the pack takes care of itself, and the lone wolf dies.
“… I told them police yourself, because once it gets to me, it’s going to get a little wild.”
The Pro Football Hall of Famer works with former Bronco Domata Peko in overseeing CU’s defensive line. Sapp, who said he didn’t think he’d want to be a coach before joining Sanders’ staff last season, has since become “addicted” to his role. A year ago, his unit was a key factor in the Buffs winning nine games and returning to a bowl.
“(My coaching style) is still brash and in your face and blunt,” Sapp said. “But I can’t cookie-cut them (to be like I was as a player). … I’ve got to allow them to be who they are, and see if I can mold them just a little bit.”
The Buffs led the Big 12 in sacks (39) and tackles for loss (93) last year, but Walker and Wiggins agreed the bar is even higher this year.
CU’s defensive line wants to lead the nation in sacks — and Walker will no doubt be a centerpiece of that effort.
“I’m getting the opportunity to showcase what I can do on an every-down basis,” Walker said. “Scouts and (other evaluators), I don’t think they’ve seen me play a full game. Now I’m going to do what I’m capable of doing, and it’s going to be big.”
7 Buffs to Watch on the D-Line
DE Arden Walker: Cherry Creek product has the athleticism and pedigree to become the Big 12’s best pass rusher after showing blips of dominance in 2024.
DT Amari McNeill: Since transferring from Tennessee in ’23, he’s been a consistent force. He’s capable of taking over games, as he did against Texas Tech last year.
DT Anquin Barnes Jr.: After transferring from Alabama last year, Barnes accepted Warren Sapp’s directive to slim down in ’25. He went from 340 pounds to 305.
DE Quency Wiggins: After transferring from LSU last year, Wiggins was mostly a special teams player. But Coach Prime said Wiggins is poised for a breakout year.
DE Nikhil Webb Walker: He was starting to emerge on defense by late September, but then missed the final eight games after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
DT Gavriel Lightfoot: A transfer from Fresno State, where he started 27 games across three seasons, Lightfoot’s coming off a career year for the Bulldogs.
DE Samuel Okunlola: He played with a shoulder injury last season and had it surgically repaired in the offseason. Started 10 games in ’24, and poised to elevate in ’25.
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