2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 45 Days (Trey Walker)

Written by T.J. Inman

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff carries on with tight end Trey Walker. The former walk-on earned a scholarship prior to last season.

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 247 pounds

Hometown: Winnetka, Illinois (New Trier High School)

Class/Position: Redshirt Senior/Tight End

There is a tried and true route to becoming a college football player: player Pop Warner football and develop as a young player, play in middle school, play in high school, attend team camps and “elite” camps to attract collegiate offers, sign with a school and earn a scholarship/NIL deal. While that is the most common route, it is far from the only one. Trey Walker has taken a more unique route than most. 

The Illinois native attended New Trier High School but he did not play football. Walker was a hockey player. He was good but not good enough to pursue the sport any further. He did not want to be done with sports though. “I didn’t know what to do with myself,” Walker told The Record North Shore. He connected with the IU football staff coming out of high school and sent the coaches hockey film so they could see his size and athleticism. He was invited to an open tryout and did enough to show some potential, joining the program for the 2019 season as a tight end. He helped the scout team on special teams and offense and made his collegiate debut in 2021 against Idaho. Walker kept working hard and kept improving as he learned the game of football and the tight end position. Prior to the 2023 season, Trey Walker was awarded a scholarship.

“I still can’t believe it,” Walker said of earning a scholarship. He appeared in 11 games last season with seven starts and ended the season with ten receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown. Those are certainly not massive numbers but his contribution extends beyond just catching the ball. Walker is one of the better blocking tight ends on the roster (if not the best one) and Curt Cignetti kept him on board for the 2024 campaign.

In addition to coming a long way on the gridiron from the walk-on that joined the program with no football experience, Trey Walker has led IU in the classroom. As of the 2023 season, he had the top GPA on the team and he has already earned one degree and is working on his Master’s degree, earning Academic All-Big Ten. Entering the 2024 season, Trey Walker is definitely behind James Madison transfer Zach Horton. Beyond that, the competition for playing time at tight end is wide open. James Bomba is returning from an injury and offers a similar skillset. Sam West and Brody Kosin are much younger and more receivers than blockers at this point and Brody Foley is a redshirt sophomore that has yet to make an impact. The opportunity is there for Walker to continue to see the field as a blocking specialist that can occasionally catch a pass when called upon.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!