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Monday, May 08, 2006

Former Lehigh University wide out Gerran Walker (Atlanta, Ga./Alonzo A. Crim) has inked a rookie free agent deal

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A member of Lehigh’s Class of 2006, Walker signed a deal with the team on Monday following the NFL Draft, marking the second straight year that a Lehigh football player has signed on as an NFL free agent.

“The opportunity to one day maybe catch a pass from Peyton Manning and learn from one of the best receivers in Marvin [Harrison] is still sinking in,” Walker said Tuesday afternoon from Bethlehem. If I work hard enough, I might get the opportunity to make a name for myself and for Lehigh.”

Walker had a standout career with the Mountain Hawks. The speedy wide receiver was an All-Patriot League first team selection as a senior in 2005, after averaging 125 yards of total offense per game, and over 16 yards per catch. In addition, Walker was an all-league second team selection in 2004. That year, he averaged over 24 yards per kick return and caught four touchdown passes.

Walker becomes the second Lehigh player to latch on with an NFL team in as many years. He joins tight end Adam Bergen in the league. Bergen was a two-time All-America tight end before signing as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. In his NFL rookie campaign, Bergen caught 28 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.

Walker and Bergen worked out with one another in February and March leading up to the draft. The one year NFL “vet” gave the rookie some words of advice. “He told me how tough it’s going to be,” Walker said, “and I know how hard I am going to have to work. Lehigh gave me the tools to work hard in the off-season, taught me how to carry myself as a student-athlete, and taught me how to be a good teammate.”

Back on campus Tuesday, Walker has completed his degree requirements within his major of Africana Studies. He will head to Indianapolis following final exams this week, and plans on completing the necessary electives to earn his degree in the near future.

Jeff Tourial
Lehigh Sports Media Relations
641 Taylor Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
phone: (610) 758-3158
web: www.lehighsports.com

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