Anthony Walker Jr. Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Family, Career Stats, Net Worth
Anthony Walker Jr. is the definition of a lunch-pail linebacker—smart, physical and always around the football. After nine NFL seasons, four teams and more than 580 tackles, the 29-year-old enters 2026 as a respected signal-caller for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off a one-year extension signed in March. A former fifth-round pick out of Northwestern, Walker has parlayed his high football IQ and downhill style into nearly $14 million in career earnings while earning Walter Payton Man of the Year recognition for his community work.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Anthony Laron Walker Jr. |
| Profession | NFL Inside Linebacker |
| Birth Date | August 8, 1995 |
| Age | 30 years 5 months old |
| Birth Place | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | 100-tackle seasons, green-dot play-caller, 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Height | 6-1 (185 cm) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| College | Northwestern University |
| Draft | 2017 – Rd 5, Pick 161 (Indianapolis Colts) |
| Current Team | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025–present) |
| Former Teams | Colts (2017-2020), Browns (2021-2023), Dolphins (2024) |
| Position | ILB / MIKE linebacker |
| Years Active | 2017–present |
| Agent | Drew Rosenhaus |
| Net Worth | ≈ $8 million (2026 est.) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Jazmine Walker |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Hobbies | Community service, chess, youth football camps |
Early Life & Education
Born and raised in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood, Walker starred at Monsignor Pace High School where he posted 168 tackles and 5 sacks as a senior and was rated a 4-star recruit. He chose Northwestern University, becoming a three-year starter and 2016 First-Team All-Big Ten selection after recording 120 tackles & 20.5 TFL his junior year. He graduated with a degree in Psychology and was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
NFL Career Journey
Indianapolis Colts (2017-2020) – Draft & Breakout
- Rookie deal: 4 yr / $2.66 M
- 2018: Took over as starting MIKE; 105 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
- 2019: Career-high 123 tackles and 3 sacks; called defensive plays with the green-dot helmet
Cleveland Browns (2021-2023) – Leadership Role
- Signed 1 yr / $3 M (2021) then 1 yr / $4 M (2022)
- 2021: 113 tackles in 13 games; named defensive captain
- 2022: Season cut short Week 3 by torn quad tendon (required 6-month rehab)
- 2023: Returned with 42 tackles in 12 games and was Cleveland’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee
Miami Dolphins (2024) – South-Florida Homecoming
- 1 yr / $1.38 M deal
- Played 14 games (8 starts), 66 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
- Week 12 – suffered hamstring injury vs. NE but missed only one contest
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025-present) – Reunion with Bowles
- Signed one-year extension through 2026 in March 2025
- Expected to compete for starting MIKE linebacker role and bring veteran communication to Todd Bowles’ defense
Career Stats (Reg-Season Thru 2024)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 99 |
| Starts | 82 |
| Tackles | 581 (362 solo) |
| Sacks | 5.5 |
| INT | 4 |
| FF / FR | 2 / 4 |
| Passes Defended | 21 |
| TFL | 29 |
| Snap % (career) | ≈ 62 % |
Awards & Recognition
- Walter Payton Man of the Year – Browns nominee 2023
- Team Captain – Colts 2019, Browns 2021-22
- Academic All-Big Ten – 2015, 2016
- PFWA All-Rookie Team – 2017
Personal Life
Family
Married college sweetheart Jazmine Walker in 2019; together they have two young daughters, Aubrey and Amaia. The family maintains a home in Fort Lauderdale off-season and is active in youth literacy programs.
Community Work
Founded the “Walk With Me” Foundation providing free football camps, school-supply drives and mentorship in Miami and Cleveland. He also serves on the board of the Urban League of Broward County.
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6-1 (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Arm Length | 32 1/8 in |
| Hand Size | 9 3/4 in |
| Bench Press (Pro Day) | 23 reps @ 225 lb |
| 40-Yard Dash | 4.65 s (pro day) |
| Vertical Jump | 34.0 in |
Quotes
On being a green-dot caller:
“It’s a huge responsibility, but I’ve always been a student of the game. If the coaches trust me with the headset, I’m gonna make sure 10 other guys are in the right place.”
On his 2022 quad injury:
“The lowest point of my career—but also the biggest blessing. It taught me patience and showed me how much I love this game.”
On giving back:
“Kids in Liberty City need to see someone who made it out and came back. That’s why I’m here every off-season.”
Controversies
- Injury Prone Label – Three season-ending injuries (hamstring 2017, quad 2022, ankle 2026) have raised durability questions, yet he has never been suspended or involved in off-field issues.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Cleats | Custom-painted Nike Vapor Edge |
| Pre-Game Meal | Baked chicken, brown rice, broccoli |
| Music | 90s R&B playlist |
| Away City | Chicago – deep-dish pizza tradition |
| Video Game | Call of Duty franchise |
| Book | The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon |
Salary & Net Worth
- Current Contract (TB 2025-26): 1 yr / $1.25 M (veteran-minimum with $500 k play-time incentives)
- Career Earnings (2017-2025): ≈ $14.3 million
- Endorsements: Rosenhaus Sports local deals (AutoNation, PDQ)
- Estimated Net Worth 2026: $8 million
Interesting Facts
- Chess Buff – Plays online blitz daily; says it sharpens his pre-snap recognition.
- First in Family – First person in his immediate family to graduate from a four-year college.
- Voice Over – Provided the call-out cadence for EA Sports’ Madden 23 tutorial mode.
- Number History – Wore #54, #5, #4 and now #3 across four franchises.
- Ironman Goal – Plans to compete in a half-Ironman after retirement to raise money for his foundation.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @__a__walk (verified)
- Twitter/X: @__a__walk
- Foundation: walkwithmefoundation.org
FAQs
Q: How old is Anthony Walker Jr. in 2026?
A: 30 years 5 months old years old.
Q: What team does Anthony Walker Jr. play for in 2026?
A: Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Q: What is Anthony Walker Jr.’s career tackle total?
A: 581 tackles through the 2024 season.
Q: Has Anthony Walker Jr. ever won a Super Bowl?
A: No, but he started in the 2020 AFC Wild-Card and 2021 AFC Divisional rounds.
Q: What injury did Anthony Walker Jr. suffer in 2022?
A: Torn quad tendon requiring surgery and a 5-7 month rehab .
Q: Is Anthony Walker Jr. married?
A: Yes, to Jazmine Walker, with whom he has two daughters.
Conclusion
Anthony Walker Jr. embodies the modern NFL linebacker—versatile, cerebral and community-driven. While injuries have occasionally slowed his path, his ability to quarterback a defense and inspire teammates keeps him employed in 2026. Whether stuffing the run in Tampa’s aggressive scheme or mentoring young linebackers off the field, Walker continues to prove that reliability and intelligence are talents money can’t buy.
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