FSU’s DeMarcus Walker Wins ACC Defensive Player of the Year

One day after Florida State freshman quarterback Deondre Francois was named the ACC’s Rookie of the Year, an upperclassman grabbed another piece of prominent hardware for the Seminoles.

FSU senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday. The season for Walker has been nothing short of remarkable as he’s managed to have the third greatest campaign even for an FSU pass rusher.

Walker ranks in the top 40 nationally in every major statistical category that would be attributed to a defensive lineman, including being tied for the FBS lead with 15 sacks — the third most ever in a single season by a Seminole. Walker has 17.5 total tackles for loss this season, which ranks 16th nationally, four forced fumbles which ranks 33rd and two fumble recoveries which ranks 25th.

For FSU, it’s hard to imagine where the team might have been in 2016 without Walker. The senior not only registered 4.5 sacks to open the season in a comeback victory over Ole Miss, but he tallied two to close the year in a rivalry win over Florida and blocked an extra point on Oct. 8 to preserve a 20-19 victory against Miami.

Walker hopes to conclude his career with a trip to the Capital One Orange Bowl. If Clemson wins the ACC Championship on Saturday, the Orange Bowl will likely take either FSU or Louisville.

Louisville had the ACC Player and Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Lamar Jackson. FSU running back Dalvin Cook finished third for both of those awards behind Jackson and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson