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2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Antwain Walker, CB, North Central College

2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Antwain Walker, CB, North Central College
Antwain Walker the standout cornerback from North Central College recently sat down with Evan Willsmore of Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Antwain Walker
  • Position: Cornerback
  • Height: 6’1”
  • Weight: 210 lbs
  • School: North Central College
  • Level: Division III – College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)
  • Twitter: antwainwalker2
  • Instagram: antwain_walker

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

My experience as a student has been a journey that I am very proud of. It shows how hard I work to achieve the things I want in life. I feel this journey truly started when I moved from Chicago Illinois to Yorkville Illinois for my 6th-grade year. With this big change in my life and entering a new school curriculum, it was a challenge for me. I eventually started to catch up to my peers; by 8th grade, I started to make the honor roll which was a big achievement for me. I then just powered through high school and had good enough grades to graduate high school early to attend Northern Illinois University for the spring semester. Being a first-generation college student, I really didn’t have any guidance when it came to college. I then graduated from NIU with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. After graduating from NIU, I then decided to attend North Central College to get my master’s degree in organizational leadership. I will be graduating with my masters in May 2024. My current GPA is 3.950, and I am not a part of any activities on campus other than football.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

My teammates say my best quality is my resilience.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

I would say my role on the team is to shut down the side of the field that I am playing on. I understand the importance of my position on the field, and I feel the defensive scheme that fits me best is Man-to-Man or Zone. I feel the either defensive back position suits my skill set.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

The best player I have ever played against in college would be KJ Osborn WR (Buffalo University) in 2018.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Dan Lester DT because of his motivating football story.

What makes you different from others at your position? 

What makes me different from others at my position is my physicality and versatility on the field. I also feel that when it comes to taking corrections and executing them, I can do so efficiently. I take pride in being coachable.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

The time in my life when I have overcome a struggle is when I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar 1 disorder. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle with such a diagnosis was a challenge that I refused to back down from. I can say with confidence that I have achieved the healthy lifestyle I set out to get as well as learned a lot about myself along the way.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

If I didn’t play football, I would see myself taking an interest in track.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

Overcoming the different adversities in my life, to get to where I am today would be what I am most proud of. My biggest achievement thus far is being a National Champion and MAC Champion.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

My most memorable play was in our Semi-Final game against Mary Hardin-Baylor. They were in the red zone and it was 3rd and 6 on the 6-yard line, in the 2nd quarter right before halftime. They threw a one-on-one fade to their 6’6 240 lb WR and I came down with a PBU they had to try for a field goal on 4th down, which we ended up blocking that field goal.

What gets you “pumped up” before a game?

My favorite athlete of all time is Kobe Bryant because of his resilience and mentality. My favorite professional team is the Chicago Bears since I am from Chicago. There isn’t a certain player I model my game after that comes to mind. I do know a lot of people say my playing style is comparable to Xavier Rhodes. I have a certain playlist that I curated to get me pumped up before games that goes alongside my coach’s pregame speech. Between both my playlist and my coaches I always feel ready to go!

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

I would say that in my spare time, I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend and our two cats. I have always loved cooking and would consider my talents in the kitchen to be a hobby that I enjoy.

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?

I play football because of my love for the game. My love for this game comes from all the relationships and life skills that come from football. The game of football introduced me to true discipline. I thoroughly enjoy challenging myself and being challenged by others. It is something that motivates me.

What do you want NFL teams to know about you? 

I would want the NFL teams to know that I am a relentless and driven player. I love people and I love the game of football.

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