UVA’s Ronnie Walker Jr. is immediately eligible

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia junior running back Ronnie Walker Jr. has been declared immediately eligible to compete for the Cavalier football team by the NCAA’s Committee on Legislative Relief. Walker filed for a waiver to compete this season at Virginia after transferring from Indiana. His initial request was denied but his reconsideration appeal was approved Wednesday.

Walker will travel with the Cavaliers (1-2) to Wake Forest for Saturday’s game against the Demon Deacons and will be available to play.

“We are excited for Ronnie that his request for a waiver to play this season was approved and we look forward to having him compete starting this weekend,” said Virginia football coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Walker (Hopewell, Va.) appeared in 22 career games for Indiana over the 2018 and 2019 seasons. During his Indiana career, Walker rushed 59 times for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. As a freshman in 2018, Walker rushed 32 times for 141 yards (4.4 average) with two touchdowns, including one that came on a 30-yard sprint against then-No. 18 Penn State. Walker earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2019 after playing in all 13 games.

Walker had a tremendous career at Hopewell (Va.) High School for head coach Ricky Irby. Walker was a two-time all-state and all-region section that led Hopewell to the 2017 state title. As a senior, Walker rushed for 1,344 yards on 216 carries (6.2 average) with 19 touchdowns. He posted 122 yards on the ground with three touchdowns in the state semifinal game. Walker was named the 2016 Region 3A East Player of the Year and Conference 26 Player of the Year as a junior after rushing for 2,011 yards on 250 carries (8.0 average) and 25 touchdowns in 14 games. Walker also qualified for regionals in the 100-meter dash and the shot put.