Here’s what Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker had to say on a conference call with the Atlanta media after being selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday:
On being drafted to the Falcons and how he feels he will fit into the defense: "Man, it's a dream come true to be able to come to the ATL and join the family. I'm looking forward to joining the brotherhood. It's an incredible experience. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. It's a dream come true for me to join this team and help any way that I can. As far where I may be in the defense, right now I'm looking forward to meeting with the coaching staff again and talking to them further and see where they want me to play. For me, I don't know where I'll be exactly, but I'm willing and able and can't wait to put my head down and grind away. Anything they need me to do."
On his style of play: "I'm an aggressive player. Here at Fresno State, we have a memo out here: 'We'll play anybody, anytime, anywhere.' We play hard nose football. The way I play my game is that I'm a very versatile player that can do multiple things. I'm looking forward to bring what I have to the table and help out the organization."
On his big college game against USC: "It was a good game. That was a big game for me. Being about to play USC was huge. It was a good experience to be out there."
On what the words "don't be average" mean to him: "That's everything. That's a saying that my dad instilled in me when I was six years old playing football. For me, having that memo with me, it stuck with me my whole life. Going DII, going to Fresno State and now going to the league, that's something I'm going to take with me."
On where he feels the most comfortable playing: "Any linebacker spot. if it's either inside or outside, that's just where I feel comfortable playing. It kind of depends on the scheme. I feel like I'm a versatile player. I feel comfortable playing both."
On what led him to Azusa Pacific University and his experience at a junior college: "Azusa Pacific University is a Division II school. I had Division I offers out of high school, but I was sitting and waited too long. I ended up running out of time and going to a DII school. For me, at Pacific, I met some of the most amazing people out there who I still talk to every day. I wouldn't take it for granted, but I knew I was going to transfer because I knew I had something to prove. I proved myself getting on the DI stage and was able to say, 'check this out.' It all came back full circle. I'm incredibly blessed to be here."
On having his Division I offers pulled: "They didn't pull them, they just offered other people so they ran out of spots. They told me I would have to redshirt. I didn't want to do that. I knew I didn't want to get off of the football."
On his first impression of Head Coach Dan Quinn and how he fits with his philosophy:
“It was a great conversation. I felt really good after the first time we talked. For me, just coming here, I think it’s going to be a great fit. I think he’s a great person and coach. I think I fit with him and I feel comfortable with him. I think we will have a really good season. It will be really good for the next few years.”
On what he learned from transitioning to Fresno State: "When I made that transfer, I had to learn a different playbook. I had to learn the foundation and everything. When it comes to the team, it's not just about the X's and O's, it's about feeling everybody out and getting to know each and every person and the coaching staff. For me, transferring to Fresno State made me an adaptable person. I feel like I can adapt and make transitions on the run. In ATL, I'm definitely going to keep bringing that with me."
On the percentage of snaps he played at inside linebacker while at Fresno State: "I don't know. I rotated a lot throughout the year. Every game I played inside back I just rotated. Maybe 60-65 percent, but I don't know."
On whether or not the Falcons liked his versatility: "It was definitely something they keyed on. I think my versatility really makes me stand out in this draft. That's something we had good conversations about. As far as being over there and joining the Atlanta Falcons on defense, it's good being able to have those in my background where they can place me in spots is something I'm excited to do for them."
On his experience in the pre-draft process: "It was really stressful. Being able to go to these team visits is something that I heard helped players because it gives people a chance to get to know you in person and vise versa. I was really stressed that I wasn't able to do that, kind of bummed out, but at the end of the day it all worked out. Definitely very stressful."
On whether or not he’s ever been to Atlanta:
“My aunt and uncle live out in Virginia, so whenever I fly across the country I usually make stops in the Atlanta airport. I’ve never actually been able to go to the city. The airport is crazy. I think it’s one of the biggest ones out there. If the city is anything like that, I know I’m going to have a really good time out there. I can’t wait to move out.”
On when he felt that the Falcons would be a good fit: "We just talked and they keyed in on my versatility. That was something I was trying to show teams. My strong suit is my versatility and it makes me good for the league. That is something that they brought up. That was one of the first things they said, so I knew we were on the same page. I knew it would be a really good fit."
On how much of an asset his speed is for him:
“My speed is a big part of my game. Being able to do different things and being able to lineup in different positions, my speed is something that I use heavily in my game. That’s something I’ve been leaning back on in college. I speed an athleticism is something I use a lot. It’s a big part of my game, so once I get to the next step and become a professional like the other guys, it’s something I’ll be able to develop on the mental side of the game.”
On his speed and instinct to react when finding the opponent's backfield: "It's all together. You have to put it all together so quick. It's your play recognition, it's your first quickstep, it's your chase down speed. It calls just comes together. Definitely my play recognition and my first quick steps are probably the biggest things I have in my game."
On being drafted in the fourth round despite his seventh-round projections: "I'm blessed. I was so happy. I just couldn't believe it. My family called me making jokes saying, 'Man, we were going to use the bathroom. We were going to go do something because we didn't think you were going this early. It's crazy to be drafted as early as 119, especially when I saw that they had me ranked 230. I'm so incredibly to the Atlanta Falcons for believing in me and I can't wait to get out there."
On whether or not he knows Falcons fullback Keith Smith: "Yes, I do. We haven't talked like that. I just know him because he went to Fresno State."
On where he’s watching the draft and who he is watching it with:
“I’m at my house in Fresno with my twin brother, my girlfriend, my childhood best friend, and some of my teammates. My mom is not here, but one of my teammate’s parents, who is like a mother to me, is here. My sister is on her way. Like I said, we didn’t know I was going this early, but she’s on the freeway.”
On the moment he got drafted: "Most of my family couldn't be here because of Covid-19. I could only have my girlfriend and my brother here. My other family is trapped in, so we were on FaceTime with them. They came running out screaming, so it was wonderful."
AJC’s 2020 POSITION BY POSITION DRAFT SERIES
Quarterbacks: Joe Burrow leads class | Top 10
Running backs: Cam Akers' life lesson | Top 10
Tight ends: Harrison Bryant top prospect | Top 10
Guards/Centers: Solomon Kindley a late-rounder | Top 10
Offensive tackles: Austin Jackson's life lesson | Top 10
Wide receivers: Jeudy or Lamb | Top 10
Defensive tackles: Brown, Kinlaw stand out | Top 10
Defensive ends: A 'generational' talent | Top 10
Linebackers: Simmons a position-less LB | Top 10
Safeties: Loaded with Georgia talent | Top 10
Special teams: Georgia's kick-centered | Return with flash | Top 10
Cornerbacks: Jeff Okudah a lockdown CB | Top 10
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