The Bucs Know How To Win

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Pewter Report’s Camp Diary series, a popular training camp exclusive feature on PewterReport.com, returns in 2025. We are excited to have two very intriguing players to profile in veteran tight end Payne Durham and rookie outside linebacker David Walker, the Bucs’ fourth-round pick.

Durham is the Bucs’ backup tight end behind Cade Otton and serves primarily as a blocker in 12 personnel (two-tight end sets). He scored his first two NFL touchdowns at the end of the 2024 season and enters his third year in Tampa Bay trying to fend off Devin Culp for the TE2 duties. Payne has quite a personality, and Pewter Report readers will love getting to know one of the hidden gems in the Bucs locker room.

Walker comes to Tampa Bay with plenty of buzz and was the star of the rookie mini-camp, dazzling with his speed and plenty of pass rush moves off the edge. Can he follow in Bucky Irving’s footsteps and be the next fourth-round surprise in red and pewter? Get to know Walker, a future star, who will get plenty of playing time in his first preseason – and could pile up the sacks as a result.

Look for Durham’s and Walker’s Camp Diary installments each week throughout training camp and the preseason.

David Walker Camp Diary

David Walker dominated at the FCS level, recording 39 sacks and 82 tackles for loss in four seasons at Central Arkansas. Walker was a steal on Day 3 and will be pushing Chris Braswell and Anthony Nelson for the OLB3 role on the depth chart behind starters Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby. He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, 260 pounds, but Walker packs a punch when he hits.

The Bucs Know How To Win

By David Walker as told to Scott Reynolds

I spent the summer back in Arkansas training with my college coach and hanging out with my friends for about two weeks. Arkansas is a beautiful state. We usually go to the water and we have a place called Beaverfork Lake down in Conway, Arkansas. We go fishing and keep it simple. I like to fish, and while I haven’t been deep sea fishing yet, that’s the plan.

One day I’ll make it happen. I want to fight a Goliath Grouper. I want to see what that’s like. I want that fight!

Bucs OLB David Walker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

I’m excited for the start of training camp. I missed some time with a hammy (hamstring injury) this summer after the rookie mini-camp. I missed some time in OTAs and the mandatory mini-camp, but I feel great and I’m ready to go. It was difficult for sure, playing the game that you love and then … I don’t want to say you have it taken away, but you have to sit out, rehab and get your body straight. It was kind of frustrating.

It was a surreal moment for me to put that Bucs helmet on in the rookie mini-camp for the first time. This is something you dream about as a kid, and to be able to put on an NFL helmet and represent the team that drafted you is just special.

I’m rooming with Elijah Roberts and we’ve hit it off. He’s cool. We talked a little before the draft and this has been cool to go through this together. We are locker mates, too.

We have a thing called Rookie Academy and I think we’re all getting closer and bonding together. The guys I talk to the most are Warren Peoples, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, Nick Bullock and Nick Jackson. But I try to talk everybody and get to know them.

Bucs OLBs coach Larry Foote and OLB David Walker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It’s been good working with Coach [Todd] Bowles. It’s cool to see that he’s going to put you in the best spots to make plays and put you in the best position to win and to do your thing – if you do it within his scheme. It’s been real cool so far.

I’m excited to contribute any way I can. If that’s special teams, if that’s on defense – I’ll do whatever to help the team. Coach has put together a really good outside linebacker room. I’m just excited to be here.

Is David Walker The Next Shaq Barrett?

I’m not the tallest guy and I’ve gotten some comparisons to Shaq Barrett due to my size. Shaq is very good at what he does and had a really good career here with the Buccaneers. Getting compared to those type of guys, it gives me confidence. Just knowing that they are comparing me to future Hall of Famers and really highly talented players. I’ve just got to put my head down, work and live up to it.

I’m a big fan of James Harrison and Brandon Graham and I like to watch a lot of T.J. Watt – guys that are similar to my size and similar to what I do rushing the passer. Seeing Watt get his new contract is crazy. That’s the standard. That’s the goal to chase and one day get that. I’m hoping to be at that level.

Bucs OLB David Walker and OLBs coach Larry Foote – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Coach [Larry] Foote is a really, really good coach. I’m going to enjoy playing for him. He teaches us a lot. He’s laid back, cool and kind of a jokester, but he’s somebody you want to run through a wall for. But he hits me with the short jokes about my size, saying I’m 5-foot-10 [when I’m 6-foot].

I saw on social media that Coach Foote hugged Jason Licht after he drafted me. I felt great after that. It’s great to know that you have people in the building – and throughout the organization – that believe in you and you want to do everything you can for them.

David Walker’s First Impressions Of His New Teammates

It was cool to meet Haason Reddick at mini-camp. He’s a different kind of guy with a laid-back personality. He’s eager to help us young players and he’s a good leader for sure. I feel like he’s somebody you can look up to and follow. He’s got a lot of swag and he brings the tenacity that I feel like this team has been missing.

Yaya Diaby is a really good guy. When we got here, he took the time to introduce himself and I feel like this year is going to be his breakout year. I’m just excited to be in the room with him. He’s always smiling and cheesing. I feel like that brings a different side out of people. He makes people comfortable. He’s just a great human being.

We have guys with different body types in our room that I can watch. Haason brings the speed and Yaya brings the power. I have the ability to throw power at them (offensive tackles) and throw speed. I feel like that’s rare, and I’m thankful that God gave me the talent and ability to do that.

Bucs DT Desmond Watson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The first time I saw Desmond Waston I thought, “He’s big – he’s a really big human!” But he’s so light on his feet for being such a big guy at that size. He’s determined and willing to put the work in. That goes a long way and shows his character. I’m excited to see what he can do.

Imagine being a running back and trying to go through the middle of our defense between Desmond and Vita Vea? I’d love to be in that lineup with those two guys – that pretty much guarantees that I’m going to get a one-on-one!

I’m excited to go against Luke Goedeke in training camp. I didn’t get to face him in the summer. He’s a great player and I’m sure I will learn a lot. I feel like I’m prepared for anything that comes. I adjust well.

I can’t wait to put that pads on in training camp. You can’t grab people like you want to in just jerseys. And the offensive linemen can hold us all the time without the pads on.

David Walker Is Excited To Play For The Division-Winning Bucs

I was excited to be picked by this team. The Bucs have been winning the division the past four years. They’re coming off a Super Bowl a couple of years ago. I’m excited to be here – the Bucs know how to win.

My goal this year is to make the 53, absorb and learn from the vets as much as I can. When I get my chance, I want to make the best of it.

Krewe, come ready! I feel like this team is going to be ready and we’re going to put on a show for you guys! We’re going to do our best and control what we can control and put our best foot forward no matter what happens.