CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas senior David Walker was named FCS National Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday by the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA).

Walker was joined by Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott, who was the Offensive Player of the Year.
  
Walker, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end from Stuttgart, Ark., was the United Athletic Conference (UAC) Defensive Player of the Year, his third consecutive conference player of the year honor. Walker is one of three finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS subdivision. He was also a finalist in 2022.

Walker led the United Athletic Conference in tackles for loss (23.0) and sacks (10.5), setting the UCA career records in both categories with 31.0 sacks and 60.0 tackles for loss. For the season, Walker had 69 total tackles, forced four fumbles and recovered one and has six pass breakups.