Tightwad Hill

50 GREATEST GOLDEN BEARS - #33 - WESLEY WALKER

#33 - WESLEY WALKER - WIDE RECEIVER (1973-1976)
No receiver in the history of college football averaged more yards per catch than Wesley Walker. He gained an average of more than 25 yards every time he hauled in a pass.

Walker caught only 86 passes in his time at Cal, but he made those catches count. No receiver in school history changed the complexion of a game more than Walker, whose 9.5 sprinter's speed stressed opposing secondaries on every down. His ability to catch the deep ball opened the rest of the field up for Cal receivers Steve Rivera and George Freitas.

Walker had more than 100 yards receiving on eight separate occasions, including a record 289-yard 3-touchdown performance against San Jose State in his senior season. He holds the Cal record for longest TD reception with an 88 yard score from Joe Roth against Georgia in 1976. Walker also occasionally returned kicks and punts for the Golden Bears, and finished his career with 3,085 all-purpose yards.

Walker was drafted in the 2nd round by the New York Jets in 1977, and made two Pro Bowls during a 12-year career. As a rookie with the Jets, Walker was diagnosed as legally blind in his left eye: Here's a neat story about how Walker helped mentor another Cal alum who faced a similar hurdle.

posted by Tightwad @ 10:27 AM