| INDIANAPOLIS — Following are excerpts from a question-and-answer
session with Florida’s Kenyatta Walker, who was ranked as the second-best offensive
tackle in the draft by Joel Buchsbaum in his Jan. 15 printout. Walker is one of a host of
quality juniors eligible for this year’s draft. The 6-4, 300-pounder was projected as
the sixth pick in the first round in Buchsbaum’s most recent mock draft. Q:
Coming from Florida, are you better-prepared for the pro passing game?
A: I won’t say I’m better-prepared, but I do think I’m pretty prepared.
I think the SEC is the best all-around conference in college football. You have the size,
speed and strength as good as any, and playing vs. teams like Florida State every year
provides you with great competition. I feel I’m ready.
Q: When’s the last time you allowed a sack?
A: Maybe my freshman year early on, but the last two years, I don’t think
I’ve allowed any.
Q: Who’s the best player you’ve blocked against?
A: I played against a great defensive end every day in practice — Alex Brown.
He’s made the game very easy for me.
Q: What makes you think you can play on the left side at the next level?
A: I think I have the feet for it, and coming out of Florida, with all the different
formations and coach (Steve) Spurrier’s style of offense, I think I can make the
adjustment.
Q: What’s the story behind your first name?
A: Kenyatta means "king."
Q: What language?
A: You gotta ask my mom. I never asked that many questions. When I was young, I
didn’t like the name. My full name is Idres Kenyatta Walker, so I had to deal with a
lot. There was no way to go.
Q: Compare yourself with (Texas OT) Leonard Davis.
A: He’s a very good player. I feel we’re both good. It just depends what a
team is looking for (in picking between us). I’m 310 (pounds). He’s 370.
Q: What’s your major strength?
A: Athleticism. Quickness. And I’m mean and aggressive, and I just love to play
the game.
Q: Are you doing the workouts here at the Combine?
A: Yeah, I’m doing everything.
Q: What makes you so mean and nasty?
A: I’ve always been like that, like an offensive lineman is supposed to be.
You’re not out there to make friends. That’s just how I was taught. But I leave
the nastiness on the field.
Q: How would you feel if the team that drafted you wanted
to sit you for a year to just learn?
A: Whatever the team says. Do I feel I could play right away? Yeah, I think so. But I
really don’t know. I’m just coming out of college, and I’m like a freshman
all over again. I just need to learn from the guys who have been there and not have a big
head.
Q: Are teams concerned about your upper body?
A: I think they are. Everybody knew my lower body is pretty strong, but that’s the
one thing I have to work on.
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