Jason Licht Got His Freak On
April 29th, 2025
Two-time “freak.”
Joe and many other fans know tells Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has when it comes to the NFL Draft.
Among other tells, he likes captains who also balled out in Senior Bowl practices. For defensive linemen/outside linebackers, Licht also likes guys on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List.”
Each summer prior to the start of college football season, Feldman publishes his “Freaks List.” This is a ranking of the top 100 freaks in college football, or in other words, most athletic players.
Past editions of Feldman’s “Freaks List” include Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall and former Bucs outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
Licht kept up his tradition.
Edge rusher/outside linebacker David Walker of Central Arkansas, Licht’s fourth-round pick on Saturday, made Feldman’s “Freaks List” last summer for the second-straight year, this time at No. 67.
67. David Walker, Central Arkansas, outside linebacker
A three-time All-American who was No. 76 on the list last season, Walker had 57 tackles, 18 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in 2023. This offseason, the 6-2, 260-pounder trimmed his 40-yard-dash time to 4.59 seconds, maintained his vertical jump of 36 inches and upped his power clean to 385. Walker’s squat rose to 645 pounds, and he did 405 on the bench press.
To average over 20 tackles for loss per season, you have to be tossing people around. Apparently, Walker can do just that given his weightlifting numbers.
Maybe that is why Walker racked up 82 (!) tackles for loss in four years at Central Arkansas. Walker is simply so country strong he throws blockers backwards.
April 29th, 2025 at 12:06 am
this pick yes…dude lives in backfields…just what we need
April 29th, 2025 at 12:24 am
If you watched his highlights, did you notice that Central Arkansas field looked like something from a Prince movie?
April 29th, 2025 at 1:08 am
Just my opinion, but this guy is legit—I’ve been saying it. His movement, size, weight, speed, and even his pass rush moves remind me a lot of **Robert Mathis**. And Mathis turned out pretty damn good:
**– 123 career sacks (17th all-time)**
**– NFL record 52 forced fumbles**
**– 5× Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champ**
**– 2013 AFC Defensive Player of the Year**
And just to frame it—**Mathis was a 5th-round pick** back in 2003 (pick **138** overall). So yeah, real talent doesn’t always go early.
Same kind of vibe with **David Walker** from Central Arkansas—*4th round, pick 121**. Personally, I think that’s one of the steals of the draft. Honestly, I first got turned on to **Thor Griffith** from **Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List**, where he was ranked **#28** in 2023. Feldman called out his raw power: **45 reps at 225**, a **4.95 forty** at 320 lbs, **700-pound squat**, and a **1.65 ten-yard split**. That’s pretty wild for a guy his size.
Now, again—just my take—but I was shocked the Bucs didn’t at least bring him in as an undrafted free agent. I honestly thought that was a lock.
And yeah, people keep saying this wasn’t a “deep draft,” but I totally disagree. Let’s be real: it wasn’t stacked with elite, top-end guys. The strength of this class was depth, not superstar ceiling. That’s why teams like the **Texans** and **Rams** were reportedly trying to **trade up for Emeka Egbuka**—not a lot of “top-end” or “elite” talent. Picks 30-150 were filled with relatively similar players—not elite, but solid football players.
That’s why landing Walker at 121 feels like a win. He’s 25, and I’ve been saying the real late-round value was in the older prospects. I truly believe that. COVID completely changed the development curve. And honestly, if a player’s still working on a degree, they should be eligible. Getting a doctorate can take 8 years—why not let ‘em keep playing?
Or let’s just call it what it is: **semi-pro**
April 29th, 2025 at 1:12 am
OMG! we got a true freak and he is glad to be a Buc. Saw him say that, seems real nice. Lol, I love this draft. In the video , he was pushing guys like 10-15 yards back into the backfield then releasing and squashing the quarterback. Over and over. Optimistic.
April 29th, 2025 at 1:19 am
Of all the draft picks this was by far the one that made me get excited.
I think there is more upside and he is already more polished than Braswell.
Well, at least what Ive seen of Braswell.
Really hope he is developing too.
I foresee a lot of nickel and much more man this year.
Rushing with different variations of 4 will be fun to see.
April 29th, 2025 at 2:27 am
This draft pick certainly sounds promising. I am looking forward to seeing how his skills display at the NFL level. I am hoping he is a star in the making we shall see.
April 29th, 2025 at 3:02 am
we shall see- he played at a junior college
April 29th, 2025 at 3:03 am
love how we’re rebuilding while staying competitive. in a smart way too. licht thinks outside the box, man. setting my morning alarm to play AC/DC because I’m a believer!
April 29th, 2025 at 3:44 am
“Walker’s squat rose to 645 pounds, and he did 405 on the bench press.”
That is grown man strength. Wow! TFL is one of my only favorite stats and this dude is very good at hanging out in the backfield.
Please don’t tackle me Mr. Walker….
Go Bucs!
April 29th, 2025 at 5:16 am
This guy is the exact opposite of JTS. Production matters. This kids tape don’t lie, very impressive.
April 29th, 2025 at 6:04 am
I was watching his highlights on draft day.
He hits like a freight train, and he always seemed to be in the backfield.
This was a great pick!
April 29th, 2025 at 7:36 am
I like it! Let the mini camps begin!
April 29th, 2025 at 8:16 am
A list that includes Logan Who and Jill Tryon isn’t very inspiring to me.
April 29th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Josh…. older prospects aren’t a good thing… younger prospects are and in the eyes of scouts and GMs, definitely are. The NFL has a recent history of teams taking chances with overaged prospects and they almost never work out. Younger guys have room to grow…. the older guys may have dominated in college simply because they were closer to their physical potential… yes, they were men playing against boys. Gaines Adams, Peria Jerry, Danny Watson, Chris Weinke, so many guys… 24 or older, the age of many 3rd year NFL players, were playing 19-20 year old players in college.
I’m not saying that this dude might not be good, what I’m saying is that he’s far more physically mature player than the guys he was playing with… what will happen when he’s not bigger, faster, stronger than the guys he goes up against? And he won’t be getting much bigger, faster, stronger to begin with. This is a grown man for the most part.
April 29th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Older, more “developed” prospects are actually a great value—especially considering the average NFL career lasts only about 3.3 years. That outdated mindset of avoiding older rookies has held this team back. People say, “He’ll be 28, that’s so old,” but in reality, it’s ideal. He’s 25 now, which means he’ll be 28 or 29 by the end of his rookie contract. You’re getting a player who’s ready to contribute immediately and still on a cost-effective rookie deal.
If he doesn’t pan out, at least you didn’t spend years just teaching him how to play in the NFL. If JTS ends up doing well for Cleveland, I’m definitely going to be a little salty.
April 29th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
This is my favorite pick this year. We might be looking at a DROY candidate.
April 30th, 2025 at 10:45 am
it’s not really a tell… it’s just odds.
If you figure half those freaks will enter the draft, that’s about 1 out of 4 picks a team makes probably has a freak.
As a test, see if there’s any team that did NOT pick a freak.
April 30th, 2025 at 11:02 am
@ Josh
(said in my best Jon Lovitz voice) I’m not old! I’m just more Developed! Yeah that’s the ticket! 🙂
Go Bucs!