Walter Palmore Bio
Walter Palmore (born August 9, 1996) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He currently plays for the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 339 pounds, he has spent his professional career moving between NFL practice squads, the XFL, the USFL, and the UFL.
Palmore played college football at the University of Missouri after beginning his college path at two junior colleges. Since entering professional football in 2019 as an undrafted free agent, he has been associated with several organizations, including the Houston Texans, the Houston Roughnecks, the Dallas Cowboys, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Carolina Panthers. His journey reflects resilience, with frequent transitions between active rosters, practice squads, and developmental leagues.
Early Life and Background
Walter Palmore was born on August 9, 1996, in Columbus, Georgia. He grew up in the Columbus area and attended Hardaway High School, where he first developed his interest in football. Despite limited early exposure to the sport at the high school level, he showed enough promise to continue his playing career beyond graduation.
Palmore played only one season of organized football during his senior year at Hardaway High School, an unusual start for a player who would eventually reach the professional ranks. After finishing high school, he enrolled at Coffeyville Community College, where he was redshirted in 2014. The redshirt year allowed him to develop physically and adjust to the demands of college-level football before competing in games.
Looking for more playing time, Palmore transferred to Eastern Arizona Junior College in 2015. He spent two seasons there, growing into a reliable interior defensive lineman. After his time at the junior college level, he transferred to the University of Missouri to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
Path to American Football
Palmore’s route to professional American football began in junior college rather than at a major four-year program. At Eastern Arizona, he posted 36 tackles and five quarterback sacks as a freshman. The following season, he added 35 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. These numbers demonstrated his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
As a junior, Palmore transferred to the University of Missouri, where he appeared in 10 games and registered 13 tackles. He recorded six tackles in the season opener against Missouri State and added four tackles, including one for loss, along with two quarterback pressures, against the University of Tennessee. His junior year showed he could compete at a major conference level.
As a senior at Missouri, Palmore started all 13 games, posting 31 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback pressures, two pass breakups, and one blocked kick. He recorded three tackles in the 2018 Liberty Bowl against Oklahoma State University. Following the 2018 season, he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Walter Palmore Career
Early Career (2019)
Palmore signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2019, after the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was placed on the active/non-football injury list on July 21 before being moved to the active roster on July 31 after passing his physical. His time with the Texans was brief.
During final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, Palmore was waived by the Texans. This release began a long pattern of movement between practice squads, active rosters, and developmental leagues that has defined his professional career.
Houston Roughnecks and Dallas Cowboys (2020)
In 2020, Palmore was selected by the Houston Roughnecks in the Phase #5 portion of the 2020 XFL Draft. He appeared in two games, registering six tackles, including one tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one quarterback pressure, before the league canceled the rest of the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The XFL later suspended operations and filed for bankruptcy, and his contract was terminated on April 10.
On October 21, 2020, Palmore was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice squad. He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list in November and restored in December. On January 2, 2021, he was elevated to the active roster for the Cowboys’ Week 17 game against the New York Giants before reverting to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 4, but was waived on May 5, 2021, after the team used eight of its 11 selections in the 2021 NFL Draft on defensive players.
Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers (2021)
Palmore signed with the Seattle Seahawks on May 13, 2021, but was waived on August 16, 2021. Two days later, on August 18, he signed with the Carolina Panthers. His time in Carolina was also short, as he was waived on August 23, 2021.
Michigan Panthers Era (2022–2024)
On April 1, 2022, Palmore signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL), beginning the longest tenure of his professional career. He appeared in nine games and made 17 tackles during the 2022 season. He was transferred to the inactive roster on June 17, 2022, and again on March 19, 2023, before being activated from the suspended list on March 26, 2023.
Palmore re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on July 25, 2023. His contract was terminated on August 10, 2024, to allow him to sign with an NFL team. During his time in the USFL, he established himself as a reliable interior defender.
Carolina Panthers Return and Michigan Panthers Return (2024–2025)
Palmore signed with the Carolina Panthers on August 11, 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, re-signed to the practice squad the next day, and released a few days later. On September 18, 2024, he returned to the Michigan Panthers. He was placed on injured reserve on May 6, 2025, and re-signed with the Panthers on July 5, 2025.
Columbus Aviators Era (2026–Present)
On January 12, 2026, Palmore was allocated to the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League, bringing him back to his hometown of Columbus, Georgia. He is listed as No. 99 on the active roster. The move to the Aviators represents a homecoming for the Georgia native.
Driving Style and Strengths
Palmore’s game is built on size, power, and experience along the interior defensive line. He uses his frame to hold up against double teams and disrupt running lanes. His career path through multiple leagues has given him familiarity with several different defensive schemes and coaching philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Palmore’s most notable professional moment came with the Dallas Cowboys when he was elevated to the active roster for the Week 17 game against the New York Giants in January 2021. According to his official career statistics, he has appeared in one NFL regular-season game. His signing with the Columbus Aviators in 2026 also stands out as a milestone, returning him to his hometown.
Walter Palmore Career Wins
Walter Palmore’s professional résumé includes stints in the NFL, XFL, USFL, and UFL, though verified individual win totals and statistical highlights are limited. His most consistent playing time came with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL, where he appeared in nine games during the 2022 season.
League Highlights
During his time with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2020, Palmore appeared in two games and recorded six tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one quarterback pressure. With the Michigan Panthers in 2022, he made 17 tackles across nine appearances. These represent his most well-documented professional performances to date.
Other Performances
Palmore also appeared on the active roster for the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 17 game in January 2021, his only verified NFL regular-season appearance. His other stints with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers were limited to offseason programs, training camps, and practice squad periods.
Walter Palmore Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Walter Palmore was raised in Columbus, Georgia. Public information about his immediate family members, including parents and siblings, is not widely available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Palmore is a United States citizen who was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia. Limited public information is available regarding his marital status, spouse, or children.
2025 Season Performance
Walter Palmore began 2025 with the Michigan Panthers after re-signing on September 18, 2024. He was placed on injured reserve on May 6, 2025, limiting his availability during the early portion of the season. He returned to the active roster after re-signing with the Panthers on July 5, 2025.
His 2025 campaign was shaped by his recovery from injury and his effort to reestablish himself as a rotational defensive tackle. With the USFL having merged into the UFL, Palmore was competing in a restructured spring football league during this period. His experience in multiple football organizations made him a familiar presence in the Panthers’ defensive line rotation.
Looking ahead, Palmore’s allocation to the Columbus Aviators on January 12, 2026, set the stage for a new chapter in his career, returning him to his hometown as the league transitioned into its 2026 season.