TALENT AND SOME LUCK
Ex-Colts quarterback plays big role in helping Walker join Roughnecks
When XFL commissioner Oliver
Luck was assigning quarterbacks for the league’s inaugural season, he told his attorney, “Get that Indianapolis quarterback for Houston.” Rather than Andrew Luck, the Roughnecks got P.J. Walker.
Luck laughs when telling the story. He knows there was no way his son, Andrew, would come out of retirement to play for his hometown team. Pop couldn’t afford him, anyway.
But Andrew Luck did play a significant role in Walker joining the Roughnecks and coach June Jones and becoming the XFL’s first Star of the Week after throwing four touchdown passes in their 37-17 victory over Los Angeles at TDECU Stadium.
Walker, 24, played at Temple University for coach Matt Rhule. He
signed with Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Walker spent two seasons on the Colts’ practice squad and got to know Luck.
“Andrew had been pushing him to me,” Oliver said. “He said, ‘Dad, I’m telling you, this guy can play. He’s a good kid and a hard worker, and he’s hungry to play.’
“June had the list of quarterbacks. He and (personnel director) Randy (Mueller) had scouted him. I was delighted they wanted P.J. Ultimately, that’s the kind of guy that’s perfect for our league and perfect for June because he fits June’s system so well and has a chance to play and prove himself.”
When pursuing quarterbacks — as well as other positions — Luck offered XFL prospects an opportunity to play. He was the president of NFL Europe when the league had success luring quarterbacks with ambitions to earning starting jobs in the NFL.
“We gave that same opportunity back then to quarterbacks like Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme, Jon Kitna and Brad Johnson,” Luck said. “We offered them playing time, and they took advantage of it.”
Jones knew all about Walker. When he was the head coach at SMU in 2013, the Mustangs hosted Temple, a conference rival. Rhule was in his first season of rebuilding the program, and Walker was a freshman starter.
“He played against us, and I was so impressed,” Jones said.
In SMU’s 59-49 victory, Walker threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
“He was off the charts,” Jones said. “After the game, I went over and introduced myself to him and told him
When/where: 5 p.m. Sunday; TDECU Stadium. TV/radio: FS1; 97.5 FM.
I thought that was as good as I’d seen an 18-year-old play. I told Matt I thought this kid was going to be a great one.”
When Walker was eligible to be drafted, no team called him. At 5-11 and 214 pounds, he had practice squad offers and signed with the Colts.
“He was my No. 1 choice and Randy’s No. 1 choice when the league was assigning quarterbacks from a pool of players,” Jones said. “Spending all that time on the practice squad has helped him learn to play the game.”
Besides Jones, Walker is tutored by offensive coordinator Chris Miller, who played quarterback for 10 years in the NFL and was a quarterback coach. Dan Morrison is a longtime college quarterbacks coach who’s on his third team with Jones.
“He’s had two months of learning here, and he’s getting better every day,” Jones said. “P.J. applies himself because he wants to be good.”
Against Los Angeles, Walker completed 23 of 39 for 272 yards to go with his four touchdowns. He was intercepted once.
“I’d liked everything I’d seen of him, but you can't really tell until you get in a game,” Jones said. “He’s a good leader. His teammates respond to him and rally around him. If he gets whacked in the mouth, everybody feels bad.
“I like his demeanor. Nothing bothers him. He’s a real competitive player, and to do what we want him to do, you can’t have a conscience. And he’s got about as good an arm as anybody I’ve coached. The ball comes out fast with velocity, and he’s learning to be more of a touch passer.”
And more of a creative passer who makes accurate throws on the move.
“When things broke down in our first game, P.J. got out of the pocket and made two or three throws on broken plays that he turned into big plays,” Jones said. “Seeing him do that is an example of pro football today. If you don’t have a guy that can create and make plays on his own within the offense, you’re probably not going to be as good as you can be.
“I think that’s why scouts are looking for quarterbacks like Pat Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray — guys that can create when things break down and be accurate within the scheme.”
Walker is hoping to turn his performance with the Roughnecks into another NFL opportunity. Walker’s Temple coach left Baylor for Carolina. Maybe Rhule will reach out to Walker a second time.
“Now that’s something that’s going to be very interesting to watch,” Jones said.
Before Walker can find out if Rhule is interested in being reunited, he and Jones have some unfinished business — trying to beat St. Louis on Sunday and continuing on to win the first XFL championship.