NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players: No. 12 - Stuart Walker, East

The No. 12 player on our list was perhaps the most highly regarded player - at least in high school - of the greatest collection of athletes on a single NIC-10 football team.

Stuart Walker was a linebacker/defensive end and special teams ace for the 1973, 1974 East E-Rabs who went 22-0 and rolled to the IHSA Class 4A state title in the first year of the state playoffs. Five players off those teams made our top 100 list - the most for any football team in conference history.

Although those East teams remain city famous for its plethora of offensive stars - quarterback Dean Schlueter led the Big Nine in passing and Joe Black, Ira Matthews and Russell Pope finished fourth, fifth and sixth in rushing - the defense was special as well. The E-Rabs surrendered only 120 points over 22 games in 1973 and 1974. In the 1974 playoffs, East surrender only 35 points in the four playoff games.

East claimed 12 of the 22 first team all-conference slots in 1974. Walker and Matthews were named to the Champaign Gazette All-State team. Only Walker was named to the Parade All-American team. He was the first and remains the only NIC-10 player named as a Parade All-American. It is the longest running and most respected All-American designation.

Walker's closest friend on those East teams was Matthews and the two originally planned to play together at Wisconsin. At the last second, Walker changed his mind and committed to play for the University of Colorado in the Big Eight, battling the likes of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Walker ended up becoming a three-year starter at Colorado. He had 159 total tackles, including 24 for losses and 12 sacks. He still ranks fifth all-time in tackles for loss by a NIC-10 player in college football's highest level. The Buffaloes went 21-12-1 during Walker's three years and played in the 1977 Orange Bowl. It was Colorado's first New Year's Day bowl since 1961.

In 1979, Walker was one of three former E-Rams taken in that year's NFL draft. The Atlanta Falcons took Walker in the 12th round. Walker, who always struggled to keep on weight during football season, was cut but signed to be on the Falcons' taxi squad. After one of that, Walker gave up the football dream.

Walker went back to Colorado and started working with Continental Airlines. He stayed in the industry for more than 30 years through a bunch of mergers and buyouts. Now, he is retired and splits his time between Florida and Colorado.

No. 12 - Stuart Walker
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1973	High School	East	First Team All-Conference	2
			Winning Team	1
			Conference Champion	1
			Final Four	1
1974	High School	East	First Team All-Conference	2
			Playoffs	1
			Conference Champion	1
			Final Four	1
			State Champion	1
			All-State	1
			Parade All-American	1
1975	College	Colorado	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Winning Record	1
			Bowl Game	1
1976	College	Colorado	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Record	1
			Bowl Game	1
1977	College	Colorado	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Record	1
1978	College	Colorado	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Record	1
1979	NFL	Atlanta	12th Round Draft Pick	1
			Taxi Squad	1
Total				40

NIC-10's 100 Greatest Players