sack le blue:mtsu's erik walden

Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com
Tennessee has long been considered Volunteer country. After all, just about every kid who’s old enough to wear short pants knows the lyrics to Rocky Top, but we here at pigskinpress.com have always prided ourselves on pointing out the not-so-obvious treasures in the college football world. Although Tennessee may bleed light orange and white, smack-dab in the middle of the state another college football program is nudging its way onto an already-crowded-college-football merry-go-round.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, population 80,000+, is the home to Middle Tennessee State’s Blue Raiders. The Blue Raiders were on the short end of the stick against Central Michigan in last year’s Motor City Bowl, but thanks in-part to the spectacular play of Defensive End Erik Walden (11.5 sacks), MTSU was able to get to that bowl for the first time in school history. The 6’ 2”, 241-pound Georgia native took time out of his summer training regiment to talk to us about that historic bowl game, his growth as a player, and his thoughts on a possible NFL future.

Pigskinpress.com: Before I go any further, let me make sure this is accurate. You played some running back in high school? How small were you then?

Erik Walden: “I was about 205, maybe 208. I would describe my running style like Eddie George in his prime. In college I made the switch (to defensive end) because those defensive boys are bigger, faster and stronger. I didn’t want to take too many of those hits.”

PP: Looking at your stats, you keep getting better each year in some respect. Talk about how your game has improved since your freshman year in 2004.

Walden: “My maturity has improved, my understanding of the defense and just doing my job and being disciplined. My mother has always inspired me to keep myself focused on the positive aspects and to surround myself with positive people. She’s my motivation to improve.”

PP: You’re a Georgia boy. How did you end up in Murfreesboro?

Walden: “Coming out of high school, I didn’t have the grades and scores. MTSU allowed me to sit out for a year and develop academically and adjust to college life and college surroundings. It was a great opportunity for me.”

PP: Over the past few years, you’ve found a way to get around a lot of offensive lineman. Can you think of a particular player who was difficult to go up against?

Walden: “That would be our Left Tackle Franklin Dunbar. We go against each other in practice everyday. I know that if I can find a way around him, I can get around anybody in the nation.”

PP: Last season, you were 4-minutes away from a conference championship when the wheels fell off against Troy. What impact did that have on you then, and do you still think about it?

Walden: “It was a heartbreaker. It was a sign to us as a team to work harder. We look back at it and it motivates us to win it (the Sun Belt Conference) outright and not have to share it with anybody!”

PP: You guys still found your way into a bowl game. How has that game and that recognition changed the way people think about Middle Tennessee State?


Walden: “It was a great experience. It gives us more recognition, and we worked hard to get there. I think (it showed that) we can play and compete against anybody. The bowl game has also helped us with recruiting as well. It truly was a great opportunity.”

PP: This season, you host an ACC team at home. Obviously it is a non-conference game, but how excited are the guys about that?

Walden: “Very! I don’t think we’ve ever had a game of that caliber at home. Playing an ACC team like Virginia, were really looking forward to it. We’ll try to take advantage of it.”

PP: Looking around the college ranks, aside from yourself Marshall’s Albert McClellan is about the same size as you 6’2 238 pounds, he also is a very good player. Do you feel you will need to bulk up for the next level or are you comfortable staying at your current size?

Walden: “Of course bulking up would help. I’m going to try and get to about 245 and maintain. If I play at the next level, I would think I would be an outside linebacker or pass rusher, but it really does depend on how it works out with the weight and whether you take advantage of the opportunities given to you.”

PP: How do you think people perceive the players in the Sun Belt Conference?

Walden: “A lot of people think the Sun Belt Conference is not as strong as the bigger conferences, but you’ll see there is now a lot of talent coming out of it. As long as the talent level keeps increasing, and we keep making progress on the field it will lead to a better future.”

PP: Okay, let’s pretend I’m an NFL head coach and I’m considering taking you with a late round draft pick. Why should I pick you over the other guy?

Walden: “I’m a guy who always does his job. I’m humble, I have a lot to offer and I show leadership on and off the field. Aside from that, I have good intangibles and I feel that my work ethic will bump me over a lot of other players.”

Erik Walden has been named to the Sun Belt Conference’s  first team defense by several college football publications. Middle Tennessee State will kick-off its season September 1st at Florida Atlantic.