Is XFL star P.J. Walker lining himself up for an NFL audition?
![TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: P.J. Walker #11 of the Houston Roughnecks throws a pass during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Vipers at Raymond James Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: P.J. Walker #11 of the Houston Roughnecks throws a pass during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Vipers at Raymond James Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/eba47286bb8336e4522f7b339945dc67f95fbe1a804d2f806b0ab7c36e4c951c.jpg)
P.J. Walker has become the XFL’s top star into Week 3 and the NFL should come calling with an opportunity.
The XFL will survive most prominently on quarterback play. On the whole, it has been lacking, albeit with signs of improvement in some places as Week 3 of the schedule gets going. P.J. Walker has been a star from the outset for the undefeated Houston Roughnecks, with at least three touchdown passes in all three games thus far (11 total).
Walker is completing 64 percent of his passes, with just one interception (back in Week 1) in 105 pass attempts. He’s not running a ton, with 12 carries, but he does have 87 rushing yards for a nice 7.3 yards per carry average.
Walker had a productive college career at Temple, where he played for current Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, setting school records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and wins by a quarterback. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts after going undrafted in 2017 and spent two seasons on the practice squad.
P.J. Walker has been putting on a show since joining @xfl2020 🔥
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 22, 2020
Week 1: 23/38, 272 pass yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Week 2: 20/31, 170 pass yards, 3 TDs 0 INTs
Week 3: 24/36, 306 pass yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs pic.twitter.com/Q1ptW95dyX
The 5-foot-11 Walker lacks ideal size and explains why he went undrafted in 2017 and no one signed him off the Colts’ practice squad in two seasons. But in a league where quarterbacks are in demand, his mobility, athleticism and arm strength shows he deserves a second shot in the NFL. Even accounting for it being the XFL, this stuff is impressive.
dark. Next. XFL Week 3 Fantasy POV
The XFL prevented NFL teams from poaching a couple of its quarterbacks last season, including Walker, who the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to sign. That same stance is obviously going to be maintained now that the smaller league is playing games. But Walker is in line for an opportunity somewhere in time for full-team OTAs, and he may very well earn a roster spot during training camp.