Darrin Walls Scouting Report

There was a lot of hope built around Darrin Walls when he entered the Notre Dame football program. The 6-0 cornerback delivered on his potential early. He did not see much action as a freshman in 2006, but he was out there on defense occasionally and was used as a kickoff returner. By 2007 Walls was almost always on the field and started 11 of the team's 12 games. He tallied 32 tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss. More importantly he emerged as a solid press cover corner and broke up nine passes, picked off one and even forced two fumbles.

After missing the entire 2008 campaign for personal reasons, Walls failed to improve on his very promising 2007 season. He still started eight games and made 27 tackles and had one interception, but he did not look as sharp as he did two years earlier. Walls needed to have a good senior season to get back on teams draft boards and he did just that. On the he tallied a career high 41 tackles and intercepted three passes.

Walls is a physical corner who has the size and strength to push around some of the bigger receivers in the league. And he is not afraid to hit somebody either and that is one reason why he may make a move to free safety in the NFL. His inability to keep up with crisp route runners is another reason he may be a better fit at free safety. Either way, Walls is a late round selection and a team that has some to teach him how to use his strength and speed more effectively could have a great deal in the sixth or seventh round.