Mykal Walker Bio
Mykal Walker (born August 28, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He stands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall and plays at roughly 230 lb (104 kg). Walker was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft and has since been a member of the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Arizona Cardinals.
Born and raised in Fresno, California, Walker developed into a two-time First-team All-Mountain West Conference selection in college and has continued to contribute on defense at the professional level. He entered the NFL in 2020 and remains active with the New York Jets heading into the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Mykal Walker was born on August 28, 1997, in Fresno, California, and grew up in a family with deep ties to football. His father, Michael, played for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team and later joined the New England Patriots, although he never appeared in a regular-season NFL game. Michael passed away from colon cancer in 2012, an event that shaped Walker’s determination to pursue a professional career in the sport.
Walker attended Vacaville High School in Vacaville, California, where he began to attract attention as a defensive prospect. He has a twin brother, Malyk, who grew up alongside him in the Fresno area. After finishing high school, Walker initially committed to play college football at Azusa Pacific University, beginning the next stage of his development.
Path to American Football
Walker played two seasons at Azusa Pacific University from 2015 to 2016, competing at the NCAA Division II level. The program gave him a foundation in college football and allowed him to refine his skills as a linebacker before seeking a higher-profile stage.
Seeking a stronger competitive environment, Walker transferred to Fresno State, where he played from 2017 through 2019. In 2019, he produced 91 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5 pass deflections, demonstrating his ability to impact games on every down. Over his two seasons with the Fresno State Bulldogs, he totaled 182 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections, and 6.5 sacks, earning First-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in both 2018 and 2019. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
Walker was named the Defensive MVP of the 2018 Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game, capping a standout campaign. His strong play at Fresno State drew the attention of NFL scouts, and he entered the 2020 draft as one of the more productive linebackers in the Mountain West.
Mykal Walker Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Walker with the 119th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft, launching his professional career. He quickly moved into the linebacker rotation and became a regular contributor on defense and special teams during his first two seasons.
One of the defining moments of Walker’s Falcons tenure came in Week 14 of the 2021 season, when he intercepted a pass from Cam Newton and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown in a 29-21 win over the Carolina Panthers. The play highlighted his range and ball skills. On August 13, 2023, the Falcons waived him, ending his time in Atlanta after three seasons.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2020–2022)
During his three years with the Atlanta Falcons, Walker established himself as a reliable inside linebacker. He appeared in regular-season games each year and grew into a starting-caliber role by his second season, contributing as a run defender and pass defender. His interception return for a touchdown against Carolina stood as one of the franchise’s notable defensive plays of the 2021 campaign.
Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023)
Walker was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2023, but was released on August 29, 2023, just before the regular season. Shortly afterward, on September 19, 2023, he signed with the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders, where he remained until being released on October 24.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023)
On October 30, 2023, Walker signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, and on November 18, 2023, he was elevated to the active roster. The late-season opportunity allowed him to close out the 2023 campaign in Pittsburgh.
Washington Commanders Era (2024)
Walker signed with the Washington Commanders on April 2, 2024. Over 17 games during the 2024 regular season, he finished with 21 tackles and one fumble recovery, serving as a rotational linebacker on defense and a contributor on special teams.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Walker signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, ending a brief stint in Arizona.
New York Jets Era (2025–Present)
On September 1, 2025, Walker was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad, and on October 4, 2025, he was promoted to the active roster. He later re-signed with the Jets on a one-year contract reported at $1.4 million, locking in his place with the franchise for the upcoming season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Walker is best described as a physical, instinctive linebacker with strong tackling fundamentals and the range to play in space. He reads run fits quickly, attacks downhill against the run, and has shown the ball skills to break on passes, as evidenced by his four career interceptions and 14 pass deflections. His special-teams experience also adds value to his roster profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Walker’s signature moments is his 66-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in 2021, one of the longest returns by a Falcons linebacker that season. He has also been recognized twice as a First-team All-Mountain West selection and was named Defensive MVP of the 2018 Mountain West Championship Game.
Mykal Walker Career Wins
Walker’s professional resume is defined more by consistent defensive production than by championship hardware. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 272 tackles, 4 interceptions, 14 pass deflections, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries in the NFL, with 1 touchdown scored on an interception return.
College and NFL Highlights
At the college level, Walker earned two First-team All-Mountain West Conference selections and was named Defensive MVP of the 2018 Mountain West Championship Game. In the NFL, his most memorable performance came against Carolina in 2021, when his interception return set up momentum in a Falcons victory.
Other Performances
Walker appeared in 17 games with the Washington Commanders in 2024, providing steady tackling and special-teams play. His journeyman path through seven NFL organizations illustrates his durability and his ability to remain a valued rotational defender at the professional level.
Mykal Walker Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Walker comes from a football family. His father, Michael, played for the Fresno State Bulldogs and briefly joined the New England Patriots before his career was cut short; he died of colon cancer in 2012. Walker’s twin brother, Malyk, grew up alongside him, and his cousin is former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
Personal Life
Mykal Walker welcomed his first child, a son, in December 2021. Beyond his immediate family, Walker maintains ties to his hometown of Fresno and is active on social media, where he is known by his handles @mykalwalker3 on Twitter and @mywalk_3 on Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
Walker began the 2025 season with the Arizona Cardinals after signing a one-year deal in March. He was released in late August as part of the Cardinals’ final roster cuts, briefly leaving him without a team heading into September.
The New York Jets signed Walker to their practice squad on September 1, 2025, and elevated him to the active roster on October 4, 2025. He went on to appear in defensive and special-teams roles for the Jets down the stretch of the regular season.
In March 2026, Walker re-signed with the New York Jets on a one-year, $1.4 million contract, securing his roster spot heading into the next campaign. His path through seven NFL organizations reflects steady production and longevity as a rotational linebacker at the professional level.